THE UNIVERSITY OF
NORTH CAROLINA
LIBRARY
THE WILMER COLLECTION
OF CIML WAR NOVELS
PRESENTED BY
RICHARD H. WILMER, JR.
/
^
RANDOLPH HONOR
BY THE
AUTHOR OF INGEMISCO
NEW YORK
RICHARDSON AND COMPANY
14 BOND-STREET
1868
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867,
By EICHARDSOX AXU COMPANY,
In the Clerk's OflBce of the District Court of the United States for the Southern
District of New York.
Little, Eexxie & Co.,
Stereottpers.
OOE^TEN^TS,
CHAPTER I.
RANDOLPH HONOR 5
CHAPTER II.
ERE DAWN 18
CHAPTER III.
PORT Mchenry 26
CHAPTER IV.
THE ESCAPE 33
CHAPTER V.
CAPTURE OF THE ST. NICHOLAS 46
CHAPTER VI.
UNDERGROUND RAILWAY 54
CHAPTER VII.
BY FLAG OF TRUCE 68
CHAPTER VIII.
IN CHARLESTON 79
CHAPTER IX.
SOUR GRAPES 91
CHAPTER X.
IN ARKANSAS 103
CHAPTER XI.
" SLEEPY HOLLOW " 113
CHAPTER XII.
A BALL IN THE BACKWOODS 130
CHAPTER XIII.
EVENING AT "BEAUREGARD" 153
603199
4 COXTENTS.
CHAPTER XIV.
CONCERNING BATTER-CAKES 176
CHAPTER XY.
WILLOW LAKE 183
CHAPTER X\^I.
SWAMP-ANGELS' REST 190
CHAPTER XVII.
LAND-HOl 232
CHAPTER XVIII.
PRAIRIE-COMBE 2a
CHAPTER XIX.
THE CA^-E 252
CHAPTER XX.
A LEAP r^ THE DARK 261
CHAPTER XXI.
AN AUTO DA FE 271
CHAPTER XXII.
THE HL^CHBACK 310
CHAPTER XXIII.
RANDOLPH HONOR 320
CHAPTER XXIV.
IN PRISON 331
CHAPTER XXV.
AT WATCH 335
CHAPTER XXVI.
ON THE ]SL\RCH 347
CHAPTER XXVII.
EBB-TIDE .355
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BIDING THE SURRENDER .366
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KANDOLPH HONOR.
CHAPTER I.
' There's nothing new in life, and nothing old —
The tale that we might tell hath oft been told."
Mrs. Jamssok.
ADETTE!"
She stood leaninsj from the win-
1 fSI^ ^^^ which opened on the portico, and fronted the
nt;^Miiai broad lawn. With clear vistas between its grand
old forest-trees, that lawn, sloped down to undulating ter-
races around the bluff, at the beaehen foot of which the
moonlit Chesapeake rippled with a low murmur. There
from the right swept the I^atuxent to lose itself in the bay.
A bowery garden, divided from the lawn by a high square-
cut yew-hedge, steeply overhung the river's marge. And
as the young girl's glance ranged thence to the Chesapeake,
glinting through the oaks to south and east, this promon-
tory bore the semblance of an island, lone and far from
those faint blue shores across the sparkling waters.
At the sound of the voice she started, and her glance
reverted to the dense shade on the upper terrace. There
glimmered to and fro a red spark, suggestive of cigars and
" reveries of a bachelor."
She threw open the window to the floor, and flitted in
pursuit of that beacon, her white dress waving through the
shadows.
6 RANDOLPH HONOR.
" You called me, Mr. Randolph ?" she said, when both
paused beneath the trees.
"Aye, my faiiy-fire" — drawing, as he spoke, her hand
within his arm — " I saw you yonder, solitary as Mariana in
her moated Grange, while I had need of you here. Was
that tyrannical ?"
"Xot more tyrannical than grim guardians from time
immemorial. But, guardian mine, where have you been
this evening ? So charming a party ! That delightful last
galop — you know it, do you not ?" And she liummed the
air, gliding for an instant into the step of the dance, while
she yet retained his arai.
" And how many hearts have the little dancing feet of
my will-O'-the-wisp — my Fadette — enticed into the Slough
of Despond to-night?" he asked, staying where the moon-
beams lay silver-clear upon the stile which crossed the old
yew-hedge, and looking down upon her somewhat sadly.
" Oh, everj^ Christian of them all, of course. But you
have not told me why you absented yourself? You never •
saw any thing so perfectly lovely as Xannie Lowe. And
Acratha — But I forsret, we of s^^veet sixteen are rather too
juvenile to be honored by your sageship's admiration.
Miss Goldsborough inquired most kindly for you, sir;"
and she glanced up at him mischievously.
The grave face was yet graver than its wont, the mouth,
usually so calm, contracted once as if in pain, and the dark
eyes were fixed moodily upon the sward. Unaccustomed
to have word or smile of hers unanswered thus, the girl
perceived his abstraction, and said gently, putting off her
mocking mood : ^
"Something troubles you, Mr. Randolph. "Wliat is it?" ^
"Much, Fadette — and chiefly you."
She met his earnest look with one of bewildered incre- R
dulity. But seeing that he spoke in all truth, she hurriedly ^;
BANDOLPH HONOR. *j
removed her hand, the deep rose-color rusning to her brow,
and stood with head averted, but in expectant attitude.
After a moment he began :
" I could not see you with the gay throng to-night, little
one, because to-night we must part."
" Part ! We !" she exclaimed. " Surely, dear guardian, I
can have done nothing seriously to displease you? Is it
because I am too light, too giddy, that you will send me
away ? Ah, let me stay, and I will try — I will try — "
She clung to his arm again, as if she would make his
manly strength her own support.
He replied to her appealing gaze most tenderly.
"My child," he said, "through all your sweet short
life, since first you brightened my gray home with your
sunny childish smiles and mischiefs, has ever fault of yours
been a fault to me ? It is not that I send you away. I
myself go hence with to-morrow's dawn."
" But where, Mr. Randolph ? Only to Baltimore, is it
not ? You will not be absent long ?"
" There was an evening that we stood beneath these very
trees when these young leaves were in bud, and my Fa-
dette's eyes brightened and her cheek flushed, while, rais-
ing her hand defiantly, she cried, ' Shame upon the tramplers-
out of our forefathers' " foot-prints on the sands of time !"
Honor to those who tread once again and deeper in those
foot-prints, until they stand upon the underlying rock.'
Does she think I then proclaimed duties for others, from
which I myself shrink back ? or would let the true Ran-
dolph honor go, to hold fast its emblem, these old walls
and acres? Heretofore business arrangements have com-
pelled me to delay in Maryland, but I am now free to follow
my first impulse, to join our army in Virginia. Will you
not bid me God-speed, and choose me your champion ?"
His tone was light, but he bent down to read her vary-
8 RANDOLPH HONOR.
ing face, anxiously. She bowed her head to conceal the
starting tears, saying, with a tremor in her voice —
" I know that you are right. I am proud that you go.
But oh, what shall I do, what shall I do when you are
gone ?"
" It was not alone to speak of myself that I summoned
you," he said, after a moment ; " I must plan for you, too,
my ward. You know that when, twelve years ago, you, a
wee girl, were intrusted to my guardianship by my closest
friend, your father, it was his injunction that on your sev-
enteenth birthday you should choose between my home
and that of your mother's brother. Xow, therefore, draws
near the day of your choice, and — "
" My dear guardian," she interrupted, " can you doubt
what that must be ? Could I ever be so happy beneath
another roof as yours ? Could I ever love another home
as I love Randolph Honor ?"
" Child, you are rash. You may not determine in igno-
rance of that which you refuse. You say you will miss me
here. Why then not pay this visit now, which one day or
other must be paid? Remember, your uncle has claims
upon you stronger than — than I dare hope to have — and it
is your duty to acknowledge them, I have to-day," he
added, extending to her an open letter, "received this,
wherein your uncle urges, in the warmest terms, your com-
ing to him in your mothers old Charleston home. Yes,
keep it to read. You will see, there is a special invitation
for your rough canine pet. How have you deluded Mr.
Rutledge into the belief that Leo actually did save your
life?"
" Ah, my faith is not to be shaken, though Lionel does
insist that had I not been too terrified to stand upright, the
water would scarcely have reached my shoulder. By the
way, I accepted to-day one invitation for the dear old Leo —
RANDOLPH HONOR. 9
he is gone to Mrs. Goldsborough, who is in perfect terror
of robbers and what not, since her son went down to Dixie.
But we won't hear of any more visits."
" Your uncle has the right, my child. Though circum-
stances have separated you much hitherto, yet I am con-
vinced you will be happy under his protection. I now
regret that we went again to Europe last year, otherwise
you might have had months instead of weeks in his house,
in which to form your decision, and — "
" For my decision — it would have been the very same.
And I am sure I shall never regret my Fall in the Alps,
my Winter in Munich," she interrupted, impatiently. " I
won't go, Mr. Randolph."
" Fadette !"
She was silent— abashed. Presently she raised her head,
and said resolutely :
" Well, if you think I ought, I will. But only for the
^ar — only until you return to Randolph Honor. You
will promise me that ?"
" Then," he replied evasively, " my will-o'-the-wisp will
have been flitting so long through Carolina marshes that
she cannot be recaptured, nor will she remember old Mary-
land beaten paths."
" Sir, I repel the base insinuation," she cried, drawing
herself up in playful indignation ; " and I renounce forever
your sobriquet of ' Fadette,' since it must needs be a type
of inconstancy. But come, your promise. No subterfuges,
if you please."
" No, Fadette ; your uncle's house is now your proper
home,"
She stood perfectly bewildered. Then she said slowly :
"I cannot understand you, Mr. Randolph. I do not
fhink you mean that you are weary of me. I think you
love me yet. Do you not ?"
10 BAXDOLPE HOXOR.
She paused for his reply.
" Yes, Fadette, I do," he said, very quietly.
"Then why in the world — Ah, I have it, you naughty
guardian ! You are to be married, and Mistress Randolph,
nee — let me see — Dorsey — or — Goldsborough — may not — "
She stopped, her idle words checked by the rebuke of
her companion's grave calm eyes.
After a moment he spoke :
"You shall know from me why you may* no longer call
Randolph Honor your home. Others would tell it you if
I did not. It is because" — his voice had a harsh ring in
it — " although I am more than twice your own age, and
althougli to you I am only the guardian old enough to be
your father, yet the world deems me still too young to be
the proper protecjor of a young girl."
She blushed crimson.
" I — I will go," she hastened to reply. " But when, and
how ?"
"I will write to-morrow from Baltimore, where I can
make the necessary arrangements. It is unsafe for you to
remain here with Aunt Randolph for sole defender, when
ni these troublous times we know not how soon Maryland
may become the battle-ground. Moreover, unruly little
Fadette sees only too well that her will is law and right to
Aunt Randolph, and it is impossible to foretell into Avhat
mischief she might drag the staid old maiden. And I can-
not have my ward so beyond my ken, as must be were she
here Avithout the Confederate lines."
Xo answer to his smile in Fadette's downcast face, but
upon the long black lashes there glittered a tear.
He replaced her arm within liis, and drew her on beside
the great yew-hedge, where the gravelled patli was bor-
dered here and there by tall dense clumps of roses, archi\ig
bloomy branches high across the way, and over tlie heads
RANDOLPH UOI^OR. H
of the two, who, both within the medium height of either
sex, paced on.
" This is the last time," he said, at length breaking the
silence — " the last time, it may be, that we shall walk thus
together upon this yew terrace, where we have had so many
walks and talks in days gone by. Have you no word of
comfort for me, when in one short half-hour we must part ?
Are you angry with me, my darling ?"
" I am not "angry," she replied constrainedly : " I have
had no time to think. Oh, you are very cruel to me, Mr.
Randolph," she cried impetuously, dropping his arm; and
throwing herself upon a lower step of the stile, she burst
into a storm of indignant tears.
He stood at her side, deep pity and tenderness in his man-
ner. Once he bent down, while his brow flushed, and his lips
moved as though he would have spoken. But he refrained.
When her passionate weeping was at an end, he said :
" You know, my Fadette, that if I am cruel to you it is
but for your own sake, and I am far more cruel to myself.
You are yet scarcely more than a child, life lies before you
in which to be beloved, and you will* not fail to win friends
in your new home as in your old. Mine I have already
won or lost, and my chief treasure I part with, because it
is not well for her to be mine. Will she then blame me,
that I give her into better keeping ? Trust me, I would
not sufler my darling to go did I not know she would be
safer and happier."
She had calmed herself while he was speaking, and now
gave him her hand, striving to smile.
" I will try to do contentedly all that you wish," she
whispered ; " it is only that. I am so grieved to leave Ran-
dolph Honor and Aunt Randolph, and — and you."
Again the rebellious tears started, but she checked them
resolutely, and added ;
12 R^LS'DOLPH IIOXOR.
"Xow tell me of yourself. Does Aunt Randolpli know
you are going so soon ? Why did you not tell me before ?"
"Because I did not purpose leaving until next week.
Aunt Randolph knows. I summoned her from the drawing-
room while you were dancing ; and the cause of a departure
thus sudden, thus secret, is a note I this evening received
from a friend in Baltimore, informing me upon undoubted
authority that orders have been issued for my arrest.
Were there the most remote probability of charges being
made public, and trial permitted, I would remain here and
bide the result ; but as affairs are now, I might serve my
country to better purpose than mouldering in some cell of
the modern Bastille. Therefore, with the morrow's dawn I
shall have eluded the clutches of King Abraham's myr-
midons."
Fadette started.
" Hark I" she whispered. "Did you not hear — a rustling
in the bushes — a sound? I am sure it was like a sui>
pressed chuckle."
"I have frightened you into imagining spies, ambus-
cades, and how many horrors besides ! Xay, I am not
quite so important a personage, although I might be worth
a lettre de cachet.''''
"Ah, Mr. Randolph, do not jest," she made answer
tremblingly. " But come, let us find out whether any one
be near. Pray do !"
So great was her alarm, that to soothe it, Mr. Randolph,
bidding her remain where she was, walked toward the clus-
tering bushes whence she declared the sound had pro-
ceeded. Had she followed, her aj^prehensive glance might
have discovered that which his careless one failed to do — a
crouched shadow, other than those of roses and yew-hedge,
blending with theirs upon the grass.
" Four-and-t went y tailors marched to catch a snail," ho
RANDOLPH HONOR. 13
said, presently throwing himself beside her on the stile.
" How that saucy brother of mine would laugh at us for a
pair of cowards ! Would not recruit me into his company,
would he ?"
" Oh, how soon you are to see Lionel ! And you will join
his company, won't you ?" was her eager rejoinder.
" What ! submit my thirty-eight years of experience to
the boy whom I have brought up ? No, no, Fadette — an
older captain for me. But I shall undoubtedly see him,
and, indeed, enter the same regiment, under Jackson."
" Boy, indeed ! he is twenty-one ! But I see — I had for-
gotten his captaincy. You must tell him, Avith my love,
how I watch for his name in the papers, as for his home-
coming. By the way, do you not think he may return to
Maryland on recruiting service? He has before, you
know."
"Possibly. But there is greater probability of your
hearing from, or even seeing him, when you are once within
the Confederacy. Fadette, will you watch for me as you
watch for him ?" He lowered his voice.
"I will watch for you, Mr. Randolph" — she was too
honest to repeat " as for him ;" " but I should not fear for
you if I heard nothing, for I know you would always be
right. While Lionel—"
Those summits of unapproachable superiority, above the
mists of doubts, and fears, and anxieties, which hover over
lower regions — how cold they are ! Mr. Randolph looked
chilled in their atmosphere.
" What of Lionel ?" he asked, filling up her pause. " He
would be wrong, would he ?"
" How can you say so !" she exclaimed, vexed ; " how
could I mean that ? But Lionel — well, he is so gay and
thoughtless — he is so much younger. And I cannot think
of my playmate wise and strong as you, Mr. Randolph."
U . BAXDOLPII nOXOR.
Neitlicr did Mr. Randolph find wisdom's paths the paths of
pleasantness, apparently. But he made no remark, merely
assuring her that the message should be duly delivered.
" xVnd now," he said, moving into the moonlight to con-
sult his watch, " we have overtaken ' the wee small hours
ayont the twaP,' and your fairy kindred will be stirring
anon. So let us within."
They retraced their steps, and ascended the brow of the
gently rising ground where was built Randolph Honor.
Both turned to take farewell of the scene which they were
leaving. .
Facing the expanse of waters, and the shadowy terraces
and undulating slopes, with low, hilly ranges closing in the
far horizon in its rear, stood Randolph Honor, that ivied
mansion of the orood old times. Its walls of c^rav stone
irregularly hewn, and cemented with broad, jagged lines
of white mortar; its spacious front, and rambling, unex-
pected gables ; its clusters of peaked chimneys, and eccen-
tric round, or square, or pointed windows, glittering
through the large-branched trees in the moonbeams, added
a picturesque feature to the scene. Hospitality the promi-
nent characteristic, there was no resisting the broad invita-
tion of portico and entrance, where roses, woodbine, and
clematis held a mortgage upon column and wall. The
night-breeze came laden with mingled fragrance, as guar-
dian and ward drew near.
" I am looking my last on Randolph Honor ; for oh, Mr.
Randolph, it will be Randolph Honor no longer when you
are gone. I am not sure, after all, that I could bear to
stay," Fadette said, sorrowfully.
They stood within the hall, at the foot of the great oak
stairs, and Mr. Randolph had lighted Fadette's candle by
the swinging lamp overhead. He silently held out his
hand. She put hers into it.
BANDOLPU HONOR. • 15
"One word," he said. "Promise me that if but the
shadow of sorrow ever darken your life, you will remember
you are dearer to me than all the world besides. Promise
me that you will tell me of it, and that you will rely upon
me. If all be not well with you in your new home, remem-
ber that though I may not now be with you, I may and
will care for you. In that case, your shelter shall be with
Aunt Randolph, whose love has been long tried."
She assured him, brokenly, that she would ever look to
him— that none could take his place ; and then she turned
and slowly ascended the stairs. But when she had reached
her chamber, and set down her candle upon the dressing-
table, so helpless a feeling of loneliness came over her, such
a longing to see him yet once again, that, yielding to the
impulse, she recrossed the corridor and descended the stairs
with a flying step. In the hall where she had left him he
still remained, his arm upon the balustrade, his eyes shaded
w^ith his hand. She stayed upon the step above him, and
called his name, softly.
He lifted his head. Yet after one rapid glance, he re-
sumed his former posture. But although his face was thus
partly shielded from her, Fadette grew pale before the set-
tled anguish of that one glance, and for an instant thought
that he suffered intense physical pain, his mouth was so
fixed, so rigid in its expression of endurance.
" I am so loth to part," she murmured, " that I am come
again to say good-bye."
, He could turn from her no more when her tones thus
quivered, and a trembling, beseeching touch was laid" upon
his arm. And ere long she had perched herself upon the
balustrade, partly supported by a hand upon her guardian's
shoulder, exchanging from time to time words of hope,
which faltered into half-uttered fears— bright promises of
the future, changing into dull regrets.
16 RANDOLPH UOXOR.
At length she rose, saying —
" But you will be so weary, you cannot have even your
two or three hours of rest, if I do not run away now. You
go at half-past four ? I shall come down and pour out your
coffee."
" No, Fadette, I would not part with you a second time.
Aunt Randolph will attend to my comfort. And now
again, good-bye. God be with you, my own, my own !"
It was almost in a groan that he ended, and he gazed
earnestly in her face, as she flung back with a toss of the
head that heavy braid of purple-black hair escaped from
the comb, low upon her cheek. He marked the rich car-
mine glow ; the pure transj^arent brunette tints ; the full
red lips, half parted in a sigh ; the dewy, deep-brown eyes ;
the thoughtful line upon the low, broad brow. This last
arrested his attention.
"Time must not change my Fadette until we meet
again ;" he said, " and that it may not, she must banish
that naughty, cross wrinkle from her brow. Sadness has
no place there, my darling."
She tried to smile, and to retort, but voice failed her.
She could only murmur, when, with another hand-clasp, he
would have put her away —
" When we last parted for long, it was not thus. Am I
less dear to you now ?"
He understood, and bending down, kissed her forehead
lightly. Then with another tearful attempt at a smile, she
fled up the stairs, without ventuiing one downward look.
She drew a low seat into the bay-window of her cham-
ber, overlooking the Chesapeake. She leaned her arms
upon the deep sill, and rested her chin in her hands. Her
gaze fell where the bay lay broad and silvery in the moon-
light ; where the red and green lights of a steamer passed
swiftly on, yet seemed to loiter in the distance; where
RANDOLPH HONOR. 17
waves tossed fitfully in the wake of ruder gusts, as drifting
clouds obscured the moon.
All this she seemed to see, but saw not, looking yearn-
ingly toward the past, blankly toward the future. Per-
chance anon some bright vision there — for she was yet a
girl, and what girl fears the future ? — flitted before her tear-
dazzled eyes. For once a smile just hovered on her lij)s,
though this was quickly followed by a burst of weeping.
Tired out at last, and lulled by the surging of the waves,
she became calm. Gradually the shadows of those long-
curved lashes wavered on her cheek — her head drooped upon
her arms, now crossed on the window-sill — and just as she
was summoning resolution to rise and undress, she slept.
The moonbeams rested upon the serene brow and the
tapering folded hands, and her breathing was light and
untroubled as the breeze which stirred the raven tresses
veiling her dimpled shoulders.
CHAPTEPw n.
EKE DAWN.
' Clouds in the evening sky more densely gather." — Salis.
j|HE awoke with that sudden start, that impulse of
alarm, wherewith danger sometimes warns in sleep.
She opened her eyes upon dense darkness, and was
at tirst so bewildered that she knew not where she was. The
chill night-wind, however, roused her, and, shivering, she
rose to close the window. The night had changed while
she slept. Hurrying clouds, made visible only by occasional
lurid flashes, swept over the moon, and mutterings of the
white and angry bay responded to the sullen echoes of the
thunder.
Fadette had always declared herself " devoted" to thun-
der-storms, and she leaned from the window watching the
on-coming of this. Presently, in one of those lulls which
precede the wilder thunder-crash, she became conscious of
a near presence, and, listening intently, distinguished a
footfall crunching upon the gravelled walk beneath. Bend-
ing forward, her very breathing suppressed, she distinctly
heard the low tones of a voice, and a transient gleam of
lightning parting the blackness, threw into relief, against
the white columns of the portico, the figure of a man.
She drew back, and clenched her hands together to assure
herself by corporeal evidence that she was not still asleep,
for in her dreams but now had Lionel Randolph's home-
RANDOLPH HONOR. 19
coming thus appeared. Possessed with the thought of
him, she returned to her place and called softly —
" Lionel, is that you ?"
There was a brief silence, during which she thought she
discerned the sound of hastily retreating steps. Terrified
now, she was about to arouse the house and give the alarm
of she knew not what, when there came the low answer to
her question —
" Yes, it is Lionel Randolph. Come down and let me
in, will you — quick !"
" But — but — are you sure it is you, Lionel ?" She hesi-
tated, peering down anxiously into the dark. " Is no one
with you ?"
This time the reply was prompt.
" Yes, yes, one of my company. Quick, or we may be
discovered !"
" Oh, I am so glad, so glad !" she cried ; and catching
up a light shawl, throwing it over her evening dress, she
passed out into the corridor, delaying not even to strike a
light. As she groped her way along to the stairs, she
stayed an instant at the door of her guardian's chamber.
"Lionel is come, Mr. Randolph," she called, rapping
Once or twice. She did not wait to hear Ins questions, but
added :
" I was up, and am going to let him in ;" and he heard
her light foot upen the stairs.
As she felt for the great bolt of the hall-door a mysterious
awe crept over her, and her fingers trembled so that she
was forced to pause. For one moment she was tempted to
return for a light ; then she remembered she had been bid-
den to hasten.
"Lionel! Lionel!" she called in an aflfrighted whisper,
putting her mouth to the keyhole.
The silence was unbroken, save by the surging of tern-
20 RANDOLPH HONOR.
pestiious wind and waves, and the clashing of the boughs
against the portico. She shivered as though the storm had
power to shake her too. Her first impulse of distrust
rushed back upon her. With it came the memory of a self-
murdered Randolph of a generation years before the Revo-
lution, who still, the servants had oftentimes borne witness,
was wont on such a night as this to j^ace beneath the case-
ment of his false love, who had spurned him for the heir,
his brother. But, coward as she was, she was more afraid
of Lionel's unmerciful raillery upon the display of her
cowardice, than of all the terrors conjured up by night. So
she mustered all her courage, drew the refractory bolt, and
the door creaked heavily upon its hinges.
Instantly there was a rush of trampling feet in the dark-
ness. Fadette shrank back, cowering, against the wall.
Amid muttered oaths, and demands for light, and sup-
pressed objurgations, consigning "that fool of a woman"
to Hades at mildest, her heart beat so violently that she
was fain to clasp her hands over it, terrified lest its throb-
bings, which to her were so fearfully audible, might betray
her.
Xow she had almost shrieked aloud, as some one brushed
by her, crouched in her corner. Suddenly it flashed upon
her mind, before absorbed in vague awe of the supernat-
ural— of the midnight powers of the air, of hobgoblins, or
of storied robber-hordes — that these must be men sent to
effect that arrest of which Mr. Randolph had spoken.
Thought for him on the instant overcame appreheugion
for herself. Collecting her wandering ideas, she remem-
bered that the library, the door of which was close at hand,
opened also into another hall, whence a staircase led up
into the corridor above.
For one second she shuddered at the idea of threading
through that throng ; but the next, her re&.olution was
RANDOLPH HONOR. 21
taken. And moving warily, albeit blindly, she eluded
collision, gained the library, and fled on until she stood
with palpitating heart at the far end of the hall above, be-
fore her guardian's door.
He was just coming out, candle in hand.
" What is it ?" he asked hastily, observing her changing
color, and hearing the commotion below.
" Come away — away," she gasped. " They are seeking
you — I know they are. It is not Lionel. The hall is filled
with armed men ; I heard the clash of their bayonets.
Quick, quick, Mr. Randolph — they are all in the front hall
— you can surely escape by the back."
A shade of deeper gravity darkened his brow. But he
replied, calmly:
" Xo. They cannot have omitted to surround the house.
Better remain where I am than attempt an unsuccessful
escape."
" Quick, then — let me conceal you in Aunt Randolph's
dressing-room."
" And be caught like a rat in a trap ? ^NTo, thank you,
little lady, I will brave it out. And if the worst come
to the worst, a few weeks of hermit life will do me no
great harm."
He was silent upon the true motive for surrendering
himself — the dread of leaving two defenceless women ex-
posed to the insolence of a baffled soldiery.
He re-entered his dressing-room, followed by Fadette.
He took from the table a pair of pistols, examining and
loading one, Avhile she held the other toward him in read-
iness.
" Xay, my little one," he said, as, relieving her of the
weapon, he looked up and smiled into her blanched face,
where the large dark eyes Avere grown larger and darker
than ever, dilated with the wild gaze of a startled fawn.
22 BAXDOLPH IIOXOR.
" Fear not, I am not going to carry the war into Africa,
but merely to bully the rascals into a few stipulations of
my own. Remain where you are while I go to meet them ;
and the very moment we leave the house, do you flit down
and secure the door. Nay, do not weep, my darling," he
soothed, as she clung to him.
" I — I have brought all this upon you," she sobbed. '
" Hush, hush," he replied, kissing her brow, and putting
her away gently ; " and if you love me, remain here until
these men are gone. Aunt Randolph sliall come to you.
There is no danger; no, none for me, trust me."
She covered her f^ice, sinking upon her knees, her brow
pressed against the cold marble of the table, in an agony
of weeping. He cast one yearning, lingering glance upon
her, ere, placing one pistol in his belt and taking the other
in his hand, he left the room, closing the door.
Meantime, matches had been produced and the hall-lamp
relighted. The gleam of bayonets wavered to and fro
below, and several soldiers were beginning to mount the
stairs. Mr. Randolph came forward to the landing and
confronted them.
'' Why are you here ? TThat do you want ?" he demanded
of the foremost.
The man, a lank, slouching specimen of the genuine
" Down-Easter," stole one glance at the pistols, and another
at the muscular though lightly-built frame and resolute eye
of his interrogator. , He shuflled uneasily, and turned, as
if appealing to those in his rear.
" We want Lloyd Randolph the traitor, that's Avhat we
want," growled a gruif voice from behind.
The right hand tightened upon the pistol, and was in-
stinctively half raised; but the creaking movement of a
door, which stood ajar far up the corridor, admonished of a
watcher. The grasp relaxed.
BANDOLPH HONOR. 23
" I am Lloyd. Randolph," lie replied, folding his arms
and awaiting further explanation. Whereupon, from the
background where he had heretofore, with commendable
discretion, remained, advanced a fiercely moustached man-
ikin, duly striped, brass-buttoned, and epauletted, his ofii-
cership most unmistakably proven by the long sword
clanking at his heels.
" Den you be my prisoner, sare," he announced, with a
flourish of his chapeau, falling into position, his right foot
stoutly planted on an upper step, his right hand laid mar-
tially upon the hilt of the very obvious sword.
" So be it, upon one condition," responded Mr. Randolph :
*' That to avoid disturbance in the house, you withdraw
your men to the lawn. Then, and not until then, I sur-
render."
" Bon — ver' good," the officer rejoined, smiling sarcasti-
cally ; " dat is enough well — give you fine chance for to
save yourself"
" How, sir ! when I have given my w^ord ?" thundered
Mr. Randolph, in a towering passion. And, forgetful of
prudence, he seized the poor little emissary by the collar,
shaking him until, half-throttled, he stammered —
" Pardon, pardon ; I have but jested, sare."
Mr. Randolph let go his hold. But thr unfortunate lieu-
tenant, too suddenly released, after on.3 violent efibrt to
maintain his tottering dignity, reeled Vackward, and went
rolling over and over in a series of not the most graceful
somersaults, the soldiers upon either hand clearing the road
for his " masterly retreat," until he reached the end of the
flight, decidedly hors du comhat.
While he rose to his feet, crimson with anger and ges-
ticulating furiously, an unrestrained shout of laughter rang
through the house from the yet undisciplined recruits, Avho
held their diminutive foreign commander in no great re-
24 BAMDOLPR ROyOB.
spect. And that half-closed door creaked again sympathet-
ically.
Meantime, the keen eyes of Mr. Randolph had espied
through the parting crowd the familiar face of a mechanic
from the neighboring village, who had long borne him a
grudge for some slight offence, and whose abolition pro-
clivities had been more than once suspected by the planters
of the vicinity.
" Ha," he exclaimed, " there is the spy and informer !
Here, any of you fellows who may have manliness to de-
spise a sneak, throw me up yonder scoundrel." But not
ambitious of becoming "the cynosure of neighboring eyes,"
the detected man had already disappeared.
Aroused by the unseasonable mii-th. Aunt Randolph her-
self had emerged from her chamber, and now advanced
along the corridor, her hands uplifted in amazement. The
tall spectral form, arrayed in a hastily-donned trailing white
vn-apper, was a fitting adjunct to the scene. It might have
been a troubled spii'it disturbed in midnight hour of wan-
dering, by intrusive mortal presence and obtrusive mortal
levity. As on this figure passed, the terrified yet amused
watcher, ensconced behind the door, thought rather irrev-
erently—
" Thy two eyes like stars start from tlieir spheres,
Thy knotted and combined locks do part,
And each particular hair doth stand on end,
Like quills upon the fretful porcupine."
Mr. Randolph, turning and beholding the new-comer,
hastened to say to her :
" Do not be alarmed — an earlier summons than I antici-
pated, that is all. I must go with these men, but T\nll com-
mimicate with you as soon as possible. Do not be down-
hearted, my dear aunt."
But the dear aunt was so down-hearted, that, dropping
RANDOLPH HONOR 25
aghast upon an opportune sofa, she began piteously to
lament and bewail the manifold sins and wickednesses of
the Yankee nation. And the little Fadette was so down
hearted, that when, after a few words of comfort and of
hope, the prisoner was following the guard down stairs, she
could not resist gliding out from her retreat, and slipping
her hand in his, again murmur farewell through deep-
drawn sobs.
" What's that o-irl boohooinsj about ?" asked one soldier,
staring upward, of another.
" Oh, she's crying because we're going away," the man
returned, with a leer directed to Fadette.
Mr. Randolph did not hear this dialogue, but Fadette
did, and brushed away her tears, and mastered her agita-
tion. His last glance rested upon the fairy figure kneeling
beside and tenderly soothing the old lady. She looked up
gave him one tremulous smile, and he was gone.
2
CHAPTER III.
FORT M HENKY.
'Where the heart goes before, like a lamp, and illumines the pathway,
Many things are made clear which else lie hidden in darkness."
EVAXGELIXE.
lADETTE leaned forward from the carriage as it
wheeled rapidly on out Fort Avenue, leaving
Baltimore behind, and speeding over the narrow
level neck of land toward its termination in the grassy
parapets of Fort McHenry. Broad upon either hand lay
the smooth blue waters, widening outward to the bay.
Beyond, far Fort Carroll, on its little island, fronted the
semicircling hills of the city, where monuments and spires
rose with wooded eminences behind. To the right of the
road the sides of the promontory sloped, here and there in
gardens, to the water's edge; and to the left, cottages and
frequent flocks of geese whitened the green common.
To Fadette's memory recurred the morning, not a year
ago, when last she had sped here in a light open carriage,
not, as now, with only Miss Randolph, frightened and ner-
vous, by her side, but with a merry party, herself the mer-
riest there. Presently further progress Avas stayed by the
sentinel at the tall black barred gates which swung across
the road from the stone walls shutting out on either liand
that end of the promontory where stood the fort. And while
a soldier was despatched to headquarters to request passes
for the visitors, she gazed wistfully up to the hospital piazza
just within, once the scene of more than one gay flirtation
RANDOLPH HONOR 27
during the scarcelj^-watchcd i)rogress of grand drill or
review.
. Those fiery Zouaves, in flaming uniform, failed to recall
to her from out the past one impulse of pride and pleasure,
or even of interest in the evolutions of the light-artillery
drill, the spirited horses, the dashing riding. The bugle-
calls no longer echoed of tournay and of field of gold ; but
of field of blood and passing souls, of shrieks, and wails
of death. The harmless guns mouthed forth no longer re-
verberations of the glory of the olden time ; but threaten-
ings of destruction for all she held dearest and most sacred.
What wonder, then, that she sank back upon the cushions,
to avoid recognizing the courtesy of an ofiicer, who, in riding
by, touched his cap ;— while Miss Bandolph, in trembling
awe of military power, and regarding the closed gates
before her much as a fluttering hen may be supposed to
regard the entrance to the fox's hole, pressed her arm in
remonstrance, bestowing the while several comj^ensatory
nods upon the rebuffed warrior.
Ingress granted at length, the gates swung open, and
the carriage rolled on up the broad road dividing the drill-
grounds, which stretched away with a gentle declivity to
the sea-wall on either hand. And the driver drew up
before a heavy wooden gate, a late addition to the de-
fences of the fort's entrance.
Fadette glanced around. To her left, were those white
cottages sprinkled over the green slopes with their inter-
secting gravel-paths, the sward broken here and there by
triangular stacks of bomb-shells, dotting it with black. The
gray surrounding sea-wall bounded placid waves gleaming
in the sunshine. The shores rose beyond, across the Avaves",
hill above hill. All was here as of old, the peaceful pageant-
ry of war. The white tents of the Zouave camp well-nigh
hid themselves, to the southwest of the fort, anion o- the
28 RAXDOLPH IIOXOR.
green Trater-batterics which faced toward the bay. Here
to the right, the high yellow rounded walls of Fort McHen-
ry, sui-mounted by broad grassy parapets, rose up from the
verdant dry-moat ench'cling, which in bright patches shone
yellow as those walls with buttercups and dandelions.
Overleaning it, blossomed the old apple-tree, as in sum-
mers gone. But when Fadette had passed through the
new entrance, unfamiliar were bristling abattis, spiked port-
cullis depending from the sally-port, and a formidable array
of newly-mounted guns.
" My dear, my dear, where are you going ? AVhat do
you intend to do ?" whispered Miss Kandolph in a tremor,
eyeing askance the orderly who preceded them.
"To follow that man straight to Mr. Kandolph," Fa-
dette replied, with an encouraging nod. For to the timid
old lady the young girl's affection took a matronly, patron-
izing form, inasmuch as she feared neither man nor day-
light. It was only by darkness and " the immortals" that
she was overawed.
" Oh," she exclaimed, checkmg herself suddenly, " that
portmanteau — my dear aunt, did you forget it ? AVill
you," she added, addressing the orderly, "return to the
carriage for it ? My pass gives permission to admit it,
provided it be searched."
Xot through forgetfiilness had she left that portmanteau.
Xor did she now repeat her order without reckoning the
moment when two officers, passing into the fort, sliould be
near enough to hear her words and to observe her indifter-
ent air. Why, indeed, should she be other than indifferent
as to the an*ival or non-arrival of a portmanteau ?
Her heart sank within her as she paused upon the thresh-
old of the prison-cell. She remembered how once in other
times on entering the sally-port she had glanced, througli
the open door within, into this darksome place. Then she
BANDOLPH HOJS^OU. 29
had shuddered at its aspect, and now, shuddering yet more,
she recalled the reply to her question, spoken by an officer
then walking beside her: "We make no use of this cell,
save when the fellow is unmanageably and vociferously
drunk: it is inhabited for a few hours only, otherwise the
occupant would hasten to exchange it for another vault,
perhaps somewhat damper."
Not much, however, thought Fadette, surveying the dis-
mal walls, where moisture oozed, and gathered, and trickled
slowly down.
Twelve men were within the narrow precincts. One,
haggard and unshorn, sat gloomily apart upon an iron bed-
stead at the further end, his elbows on his knees, his rough
bearded chin in his hands, never moving, in dogged despair
and sullen indifference, as the visitors entered. Another,
at the sound of the clanking door, had started forward,
then with an air of bitter disappointment turned away.
An aged gray-haired gentleman was conversing with a
chaplain captured in the discharge of his duties on the
battle-field. Two Confederate soldiers were recounting to
a select audience beside the door their experiences of
camp and field; while a third, close by, whistled care
down the wind to a most lugubrious tune. Mr. Randolph
himself paced restlessly up and down. He held out his
hand in welcome to his guests, evincing no surprise at
their advent.
" I have been looking for you each day since you were
advised of my residence," he said cheerily; "and just now
was longing to hold old Time by the forelock, lest he should
give the signal to close the gates w^hile yet tarried the
wheels of your chariot. Early, is it ? But here daylight
and night are not widely different, and when my watch
and I were captured, we were not conveyed to the same
30 RANDOLPH HONOR.
stronghold. Well, what thinks my kmd aunt of her first
appearance in prison ?"
Miss Randolph could not respond in the tone of the pris-
oner. She surveyed the miserable apartment and its in-
mates in profound dismay, and stared aghast at the damp,
stained walls, while the corners of her mouth fell into a
yet more depressed and anxious curve.
" Nay," he said, " you came to see me, not the cell, and
you must not waste one regard upon it. Remember-^
' Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage,
Hearts—'
" What hearts are those, Fadette, that take •
' This for their hermitage ?' "
" Cold, stony hearts, I should think," she responded,
faintly returning his smile.
She had seated herself upon a bench beside the door,
while one of the gentlemen had risen and placed his chair
for Miss Randolj)!!. Mr. Randolph leaned upon the back,
conversing in a lowered tone — not so lowered, however,
but that Fadette once or twice distinguished her own name,
coupled with " passport" — " few weeks' delay" — " Charles-
ton."
She shook her head with a low laugh of superior knowl-
edge, saying to herself, " When you are free to plan, my
guardian. I go after, or go not at all." She sent restless
glances through the open doorway, before which the senti-
nel passed and repassed. Once she started up with a gesture
of impatience, but resumed her seat as the orderly appeared,
and with him the forgotten portmanteau.
While Miss Randolph, in anxiety for the neat hJanchiS'
sage, rose to superintend its examination, Mr. Randolph
took possession of the place beside his ward. Her hand,
BANDOLPH HONOR. 31
clasping a simple bouquet, rested upon the back of the
bench. He lifted hand and flowers together.
" For me, are they not ; — to whisper of my little one
in her garden at Randolph Honor ; to speak a comforting
lansruasre of their own throuQ-hout the weary hours ?"
She raised her eyes, fixing them steadily upon his, as she
said :
" Do you understand the language of flowers ? These
have indeed comforting words, strangely comforting words
of their own. Read them carefully, carefully ; and — "
She stopped, observing that the soldier, having concluded
his examination of the portmanteau, seemed to be listening.
But the look she bent upon the blossoms now in her guar-
dian's keeping was significant as speech could be, and he
resolved that the bouquet's message should be studied
flower by flower.
Not sorrowful, as at the last parting, was her smile,
when she turned upon the threshold of the dreary prison,
waving her little hand once again ere the grating door shut
out that vision of hope, of comfort, and of love.
As she descended the slope, drawing the trembling Miss
Randolph's arm within her own, a heavier step resounded
through the sally-port. The commanding officer overtook
her, and walked on by her side. He was an acquaintance
of years' standing, and she put a constraint upon the cold-
ness creeping over her, more especially as Miss Randolph
would not understand a hint, but slackened her pace. She
told him she was about to venture a request. The cell,
she said, was extremely damp and over-crowded : the Ran-
dolphs had so many of them been consumptive — Nay, he
must not smile at her words, because this captive scion
was of stalwart bearing. Would the colonel — could it be
unreasonable to ask it ? — permit Mr. Randolph to occupy
one of the guard-rooms during the night ? She had heard
32 RANDOLPH HONOR.
it had one prisouer already there in solitary confinement,
and she would esteem it so great a favor ! She prayed
pardon if she thus invaded the province of the commanding
officer of Fort McHenry, but really could not think of
beating a retreat until he had capitulated.
There being no serious obstacle in the way, the gallantry
of an old army-officer induced him to consent to the young
lady's arrangement, and, grateful beyond what he could
imagine, Fadette went back over old times with no very
bad grace, as he accompanied her to the carriage.
On passing the abattis, she mockingly inquired its use.
The officer replied that alarms of purposed popular uprisings
in Baltimore were so frequent, that additional defences were
deemed necessary. Guns were turned upon the city, and
the abattis designed .especially for a protection against bel-
ligerent crinoline.
Fadette glanced at the bristling protection, and then
down upon her own crinoline significantly.
"Allow me to remhid you," she said, laughingly, "that
in the days of our grandmothers there was a Bastille, where
stone walls and bristling spears proved but insufficient bar-
riers against fish-women bold. However, it may be that
crinoline was not d la mode in La Halle."
They reached the carriage, and as the colonel assisted
Fadette to her seat beside Miss Randolph, from the parade-
ground rose the loved air of "Dixie" proudly on the
breeze.
" My test of a rebel lady," remarked the colonel, watch-
ing the color deepening in Fadette's cheek.
CHAPTEK lY.
THE ESCAPE.
"A woman's will dies hard, in the hall or on the sward."
Mrs. Browning.
OOD-MORNING, absent one. What, did you in-
tend to cut me ? Why so pensive ? Surely you
cannot have heard the news — a prisoner escaped
from the fort? Mr. Wayne told me he met the jailer— I
beg his pardon, the — wliat do they call him ? — commanding
officer — -just now, riding post-haste to headquarters here,
and evidently quite ' on the rampage.' "
The speaker, a young lady, gay and bright, laid a de-
taining clasp on Fadette's arm, who was walking slowly up
the street, her eyes fixed upon the pavement, and had nearly
passed without recognizing her friend.
" What — who — the name, Carrie ?" she asked hurriedly,
startled out of her abstraction.
" That I have not yet been able to learn. Mr. Wayne
promised to ascertain it, and let me know. What if it
should be Mr. Randolph ?"
Fadette was radiant with smiles, and she turned back
with her companion, whispering — ■
" Can you keep a secret, Carrie ?
that it is Mr. Randolph."
Carrie stopped short, seizing both Fadette's hands.
" Oh, you dear, delightful schemer ! How glad I am !"
she cried; "for I know you are the schemer. But take
care you do not make these confessions too publicly, lest
Then I can tell you
34 RAXDOLPU HOXOR.
you chance to fill your guardian's place. These very walls
have ears. I am dying to hear all, but I positively won't
ask a question here. May I come round to tea this evening ?
Thank you, I will not ftiil. But hush ! don't you see that
Fed. watching you so closely from across the street ? Cap-
tivated, evidently. Ah ! here we are at Broadbent's. Have
you looked over her lovely summer mantles ? I am going
to indulge. Won't you come in and give nie the benefit of
your opinion ? Xo ? Well, then, au revoir.''^
With light step and lighter heart Fadette pursued her
way up Charles-street, bestowing joyous greeting upon
friends whom from time to time she met.
On this sunshiny morning right gay was Baltimore with
handsome equipages and crowds of leisurely-strolling pe-
destrians. As its streets, so are its people. No architect
here legislates the householder of ton into tall edifices of
red brick and mortar, narrow as the prejudices of the
builder. No leader of fashion here dictates for dress rigid
rules in style and coloring, regardless of the style or color-
ing of the wearer. But besides the orthodox brick, a brown,
a white, a gray, or other neutral tint, dares venture in to
form a contrast in architecture refreshing to the eye. And
in the attire of the women is a rich simplicity, a delicate
blending of delicate hues, indicative of true refinement.
Many a round fair throat gleams from light folds of the
snowy embroidered kerchief; many a slight and graceful
figure is faintly defined beneath the drooping lace or cash-
mere shawl, the art of wearing which few women better
understand. And as Fadette daintily raised her dress in
the steep ascent beside Washington's monument, hers was
but one of the many Cinderella feet there peeping forth.
Just then the breeze, which was blowing freshly, whirled
her sunshade from the loose clasp of her hand, and after
toying a moment with it, flung it some distance down
RANDOLPH HONOR. 35
the slope. The sunlight was dazzling, the sunshade a pretty
one, and Fadette remembered Miss Randolph's horror of
carelessness ; so looking after it with an impatient gesture,
she began the pursuit.
Hardly, however, had she done so, when she observed a
man cross over from the Monument sidewalk, lift the sun-
shade, and advance toward her.
One view convinced her of his identity with the Federal
officer to whom her attention had been directed by her
friend, and whom she had since noticed keeping her constant-
ly in sight. Annoyed that an utter stranger, and, moreover,
one " of that ilk," should thus persistently force himself
Upon her observation, she turned abruptly and hurried on.
" Pardon me, madam, but this is yours."
He had overtaken hen His manner was respectful ; but
there was in it a command and a power which Fadette,
had she not been so thoroughly vexed, must have perceived:
a command which, at all events, arrested her involuntarily,
and compelled her eyes to his.
She stopped, and looked at him.
There was that in the appearance of the man which at
once struck her quick perception with a sense of inc©n-
gruity. His uniform, fitted for medium height, on the
wearer's tall and powerfully-built frame suggested the very
opposite extreme of the two French cities the riddle ren-
ders famous. Dark hair and moustaches were certainly
in strange accord with the Saxon coloring of the face, and
the deep-blue eyes regarding her with scarcely concealed
amusement. And yet, with the first instant, the first im-"
pression passed away. There was somewhat in the proudly
careless bearing, in the firm curves of the mouth, in the
fearless greeting of the eyes, which precluded suspicion,
and withal compelled respect. Fadette was forced to re-
vert to the uniform to arm herself again.
36 PuiXDOLPH HOXOR.
She had unwittingly bowed in acknowledgment as he ex-
tended to her the parasol. But anon an impulse seized her,
and she flung it into the street, and moved on, without a
glance either upon him or upon the delighted passers-by.
To her surprise, he walked on by her side. And when
she raised her eyes indignantly, she read in his, instead of
resentment, admiration and gratification.
" Do not j^rejudge me impertinent," he said, very low,
" if I inquire your name."
She fixed upon him a haughty stare. But he, nothing
abashed, went on:
" I am the bearer of a message which I am morally cer-
tain is yours; yet the misdelivery of which it were not
well to risk."
She hesitated. Visions of " durance vile" arose before
her, and she felt little faith in the message.
But he waited there so respectfully, so deferentially, yet
withal so determined to have liis will, that she waxed im-
patient, and defiantly gave her name.
" To you, then, I bring a message from" — his voice sank
yet lower — "Mr. Randolph. Do not regard me so sus-
piciously— I am not what I seem."
That was a puzzled anxious gaze she raised to him.
Her thought was of Mr. Randolph himself; but no disguise
could thus transform him. At all events, this was a friend,
and he had tidings — it might be, tidings of the escape. A
glad smile brightened her eyes and just hovered on her
lips.
While this was passing through her mind, he, observing
that their colloquy was attracting attention, said, hastily —
" Appoint me time and place of meeting. I cannot ex-
plain here."
A meeting would scarcely be safe at the friend's house at
which she was staying. She had no time for deliberation.
RANDOLPU HONOR. 37
" Here, at eight this evening," she resj^onded, with cliar-
aotei-istically rash promptness.
All this had passed in a moment's space.
Meanwhile, a gentleman who had witnessed Fadette's
contemptuous treatment of the officer, and his unabashed
perseverance,. came up.
" Shall I rid you of this intruder ?" he asked.
" If you please," she answered in her confusion, scarcely
cognizant of her words.
" Take yourself off quietly, Sir," he said sternly, " or you
shall learn to your cost how a Yankee dares insult a
Southern woman."
At the beginning of this speech the " Yankee's" eyes
flashed fire ; but apparently the conclusion was rather di-
verting, for he smiled as he turned on his heel and sauntered
away. Contemptuous glances followed, and " So much for
Yankee courage" was muttered by not a few.
Fadette is pacing the floor of her boudoir in Madison-
street. It is dusk, and as she stays a moment at the open
window, watching the forthcoming of the stars, she remem-
bers with a sigh of relief that there is no moon to-night.
She listens. From the street below arise, faint and fainter,
echoes of footsteps homeward-bound in the twilight.
Through the house all is silence. She opens her door,
leaning over the balustrade, listening with head bent for-
ward. Yes, it really is eight o'clock, for old John, that un-
varying timepiece, is crossing the hall to the drawing-
room, with his silver waiter, tea, and cake. Now is her
time. She has excused herself to her friend Carrie and to
her hostess, on the plea of violent headache — to which,
indeed, her throbbing temples painfully testify, as she
presses her palm upon them. There is the closing of a door
below, and then a footfall on the stairs. She has only time
38 RANDOLPH UOXOR.
to retreat, and to throw herself with a guilty feeling upon
the sofa, before a servant taps at the door, and obeys her
" Come in," to inquire whether she may bring a cup of tea.
Xo, Fadette wants nothing — oWy perfect quiet. Thank
her Miss Mary, and say good-night to her, and to Miss
Randolph. She can see no one to-night. And please send
up her old Mammy immediately.
Fadette recommenced her aimless wandering about the
room, drawing back the lace curtains, restlessly arranging
and rearranging the trinkets upon the dressing-table, and
at last, with a hasty movement, overturning the whole
flowery fabric of a bouquet that morning sent her.
She was down on her knees before the wardrobe, drag-
ging forth cloaks and mantles and shawls, with which the
floor was strewn, when the door opened to admit her " old
Mammy" — a short, dumpy, cheer}' mulatto, in bright linsey
and gay head-handkerchief
"Absolutely not one fit to wear," muttered Fadette,
tossing a cashmere wrathfully from the now empty drawei*.
" Why, honey, whatever you a doing to your pretty
shawl? Is the misery in your head so bad?" ejaculated
the new-comer, standing aghast with uplifted hands, and
evidently referring all this disorder to cerebral confusion.
"There, there now, come and lie down then like a good
child, while I go make you some yerb tea that'll bring you
round in three shakes of a sheep's tail."
Fadette rose up, smiling faintly —
" Xo, Mammy, your yerb tea won't help me just now.
It is not only my head. But this you can do for me — go
get your every-day shawl and your big worsted, the new
one, and come back just as fast as ever you can. Don't
tell any one I sent you."
" But, honey, there's blankets a plenty for this warm
nisrht, and — "
BANDOLPII HONOR. 30
" I'll hear about the blankets when you come back, Mum-
my. ISTow go."
On her reappearance, Fadette took the "big worsted"
from her arm, and folded it over her own head in such a
manner that it enveloped her almost to the feet.
She stood before the Psyche-glass, surveying herself,
w^ell-pleased. Then she turned to her servant :
" Mammy," she said gayly, " would you swear it wasn't
you, if you met it in the dark ?"
" Why, honey, you ain't never gwine out that a way !"
" Precisely. You put on the other shawl. Quick !"
She hesitated. Suddenly a thought struck her. She
asked anxiously:
" You ain't never after meeting that ugly man as comes
a courting you with floAvers and sich foolishness? You
ain't gwine for to offerize yourself to run away from Mars'
Lloyd, and him in jail ?"
Fadette laughed.
" No indeed. Mammy, I am not going to do all that. I
am only going a square or two, as far as the Monument, to
meet a gentleman who has news of your Mars' Lloyd.. But
we must not let any one know, lest the Yankees hear it. I
am only trusting you. You will go now, won't you ?"
When Fadette had lowered her light, and locked her
door upon the outside, the two cautiously descended the
Flairs and passed out at the hall-door ; — an irregular pro-
ceeding on the part of servants, the latter, at which the
lady mistress would have been properly horrified. But
Fadette was in no mood to concern herself with aught but
the shortest mode of egress.
She had little more than a square to traverse, and that
was accomplished with so swift a step, that her attendant
had much ado to keep pace.
It was quite dark as she paused beneath a lamp-post,
40 ■ EAXDOLPH HOSOR.
and, covertly consulting her watch, saw that it was a full
quarter past eight.
Along the opposite sidewalk wavered a slender stream
of passengers, and now and then went by a carriage or two.
But here, upon the Monument side, was no one save Fa-
dette and her servant.
Hardly, however, had she withdrawn into the friendly
shadow the Monument extended, when a man crossed the
street, and standing where she had stood, drew forth his
watch. The gaslight streamed full upon his Federal
uniform. . .
Glancing around as if in search of some one, he was pass-
ing Fadette.
She feared to trust to the cursory view she had caught
of his face, to identify her mysterious follower of the morn-
ing. She resolved to test him before disclosing herself.
" Sir," she said, advancing with unassumed timidity,
"have you seen any thing of a parasol dropped near
here?"
He stopped, and looked at her earnestly.
"It is you, then," he said, bowing low. "But whom
have you there — one you can trust ?"
"Oh, yes. But — Mammy," she added, "remain here.
I am not going out of sight, only to yonder tree, while this
gentlemen speaks to me."
Beneath the shade they paused, confronting one another.
Fadette raised her eyes inquiringly.
" You will not, I trust, deem me impertinent in request-
ing this interview," he said, " when I explain the danger in
which r stand. I escaped last evening from Fort McHenry,
and—"
" With Mr. Randolph ?" she interrupted.
He glanced at her in surprise.
" Mr. Randolph is still there. But what is the matter ?"
RANDOLPH HONOR 41
he asked anxiously, as she leaned against the tree, covering
her face with her hands.
" Nothing — nothing — go on," she said impatieutly. " Go
on. Tell me of him."
" Mr. Randolph and I have been for several days fellow-
prisoners," he resumed, when she had again signed to him
to do so. " We were soon friends, and I confided to him
that I am the bearer of secret and important information
to the Confederate army in Virginia. Detention of a few
weeks would render my information unavailing, and I
spoke of my great anxiety. He immediately offered a way
of escape, if I were adventurous eiiough to hazard it. Most
gratefully did I accept the ofier, and am here."
" And that way ?" was the eager questioning of eyes and
lips.
" Next day he gave into my possession the uniform I
now w^ear — procured, doubtless, by bribery of the guard.
He would, very prudently, enter into no explanation upon
the subject."
A violent start, and the hands clenched over her face.
A quick passing shiver shook her; but he saw nothing,
drawing forth a pocket-book, and intent on searching
among the letters in it in the uncertain light.
" Go on, go on ; tell me of the escape — your escape he
planned — I will have all, all," she cried, impeiiously, in the
silence.
He shrugged his shoulders slightly, but obeyed. "
"Last evening, just after retreat, before the prisoners
were locked in for the night, I donned this livery, and
when the sentinel's back was turned, made my ejcit from
the prison-door, and strolled leisurely up the ramp to the
parapet. Once there, I had but to select a solitary part of
the wall and my lightning-rod, and there I was, making
the circuit of the camp pitched upon the south side of the
42 RANDOLPH HOXOR.
fort, as unmistakable a defender of the Union as any there.
Ere long the hue-and-cry after the escaped prisoner was
raised, and the supernumerary volunteer took to the water,
standing for hours chin-deep, diving do\^Ti when boats out
in search occasionally approached. However, after various
adventures by flood and field, I reached Baltimore. This
morning I introduced myself to a group of comrade blue-
coats in front of Barnum's, and learned the sequel so far as
the fort was concerned. But a short while elapsed before
an officer passed by our guard-room, and perceiving from
light streaming through that the door was ajar, ordered
the sentinel to close it. The fellow opened first, and seeing
but one prisoner within, stood there asking questions, to
which Mr. Randolph replied in such a manner as to detain
him as long as possible. Thus some moments were gained
before the officer peremptorily demanded the subject under
discussion. And by those moments I was saved. Words
can never measure my debt of gratitude to Mr. Ran-
dolph."
He ended. Fadette's face was still concealed. She mur-
mured, brokenly —
" God forgive you ; I cannot. You have taken away
the escape I planned for him."
" Great Heaven — for him ! — is that possible ?" he stam-
mered.
" It is true," she replied, coldly.
"At least do me the justice to believe," he said, afler a
short silence, "that through ignorance I have done this.
I, fool that I was, imagined him wanting in the hardihood
needful to such an attempt. I go this instant to deliver
myself up to the authorities. Perhaps they may then be
generous enough to release him."
" Stay," she cried, as he turned away ; " for Heaven's
sake do nothing so rash. I was unjust. A proper plea for
RANDOLPH HONOR. 43
his release, truly, that he assisted the escape of anothei
prisoner ! Remember your despatches, your duty, youi
and his country. Mr. Randolph is right, and I was wrong.
I, who best know him, know he would not easily forgive
me, should words of mine occasion your return. I will not
leave you without your promise to continue to Virginia.
Do not look as if you felt any gratitude to me. With all
my heart, aye, with all my soul, I would you were in any
dungeon, and he stood free where now you stand. But
being here, you are not your own — you hold a place, how-
ever insignificant, in the gap. When were you to leave
Baltimore ?"
And did she mean to march him on in FalstaiF's ranks ?
" ' Tut, tut, good enough to toss ; food for powder, food for
powder ; they'll fill a pit as well as better,' " he muttered
between his teeth.
But the smile at her imperiousness was stayed upon hig
lip by the restless anguish of her eyes. He simply replied :
"To-night."
"Promise, then. N'ay, you must, you must. He will
else be so grieved with me !" In her impatience she wrung
her hands.
And the promise was given. For he felt he was not now
free to follow the dictates of generosity ; and that her ar-
gument, however unflattering in terms, was nevertheless a
true one.
"And is this all?" she asked, again adjusting the shawl
which in her excitement had fallen from her * shoul-
ders.
He glanced admiringly down upon the fairy who thus
assumed all Queen Mab's sovereign mien. He lost, for a
moment, the sensation of his own almost remorseful pain,
in the view of those dark, bright eyes, flashing upon him
involuntarily ; of the red lips, which scarcely quivered out
44 RAynOLPH HOyOR.
of their curve of angry scorn ; of the wondrously tiny
dimpled hand, winch now drew closer those uglier than
ever woollen folds.
" I was bidden," he said, " to give you the minutiie of the
escape, which Avei-e of his planning, I being a stranger to
the vicinity ; and to place in your own hands this letter.
Hearing you accosted by name, this moming, in the street,
I followed, thinking in this way to arrange an interview
with greater security to both. I beg your pardon for the
annoyance I occasioned."
Coldly but gracefully she said farewell, and would have
parted thus. But he detained her, saying :
" Permit me to give my name, that hereafter when we
meet, you may know me no impostor. I am — "
"Xo, no," she interrupted, "that meeting is far from
probable : but if it should ever be, why embitter it by this
remembrance ? Pardon me — I know it is unjust."
He bowed low, leaving her without another word ; and
recrossing the street, he was soon lost to Fadette's sight,
although he guarded her at a distance until she reached
the house.
" A letter from Mars' Lloyd, Mammy," she said, display-
ing the treasured paper to her faithful servant as they
hastened homeward. "I have not read it yet, but he is
well. That gentleman was in prison with him, and your
master assisted him to escape."
" He oughtn't to a'sisted nobody. He ought to a come
himself," Mammy exclaimed, resentfully.
" Xo. It was good and great in him. I love him for it.
Xow remember, this is a secret all between our two selves,'*
she reminded, as they slipped in at the alley-gate and round
to the now deserted kitchen department, whence Fadette
gained her chamber unobserved.
The door secured, she drew a low chair beneath the light,
BANDOLPII HONOR. 45
and impatiently dashing away the long pent-up tears, un-
folded lier guardian's missive.
She started, on perceiving that it was in her own hand-
writing. She examined it closely. Yes, there were flower-
stains upon the paper, and it bore marks of having been
crumpled up in a bouquet. Thus ran the note :
" I have told you to study the language of flowers.
These say : ' In the bottom of the portmanteau, beneath
the third brass nail on the left as you open, is a secret
spring. Press this firmly: the bottom is false, and you
will find beneath, a Yankee uniform. It is a friend in need,
by which I pray you will escape. Perhaps I should send
the uniform of a Confederate soldier instead. Stanch Balti-
more has not made a renegade of me — I only desist for im-
portant reasons. Don't be disappointed, time will rectify
that. I will remain in Baltimore, with Aunt Randolph,
until I hear. I look for you daily.' "
As she scrutinized it, at a loss for her guardian's mean-
in<y, she observed that beneath some words were indenta-
tions, as though purposely marked.
And dropping all save the underlined words, she readily
construed his message :
" Beneath a Yankee uniform, a friend I pray will escape —
a Confederate soldier instead of me, for important reasons.
Don't be disappointed, time will rectify. Remain in Balti-
more with Aunt Randolph. I look for you daily."
CHAPTER Y.
CAPTUKE OF THE ST. XICHOLAS.
" Courage," he eaid, and pointed toward the land,
" This mounting wave will roll us shoreward soon.''
Tekntsox.
IgERE we are at last, grace au cocker P'' cried Fa-
dette, putting her head out of the window as the
carriaore drove on throuo-h Lii?ht-street to the
wharf. "Only just in time, too, for there is the St. Nich-
olas puffing and blowing in most unsaintly impatience to
be gone."
And so was every one else, apparently. Passengers,
freiojht, luggage, scattered together in elaborate confusion.
People seemed to possess, indeed, a single eye, and that
bent unmovedly upon one trunk, or collection of trunks, to
the overlooking of all intervening heads, backs, or ambula-
tory mediums.
"Do look at that fussy woman," whispered Fadette to her
friend Carrie, when they stood together on the guards,
Miss Randolph having retired into the cabin with a " dear
familiar friend" of her own. " Just hear her, still d propos
of that everlasting pink silk bonnet. I do believe she
takes dapper old Mr. Xorton for a man-milliner. Only
listen : * de Paris' — ' me sied a ^nerveilW — ' au desespoir if it
be loss.' I should like to see her in it. She might, with her
stature, be a grenadier in petticoats, were it not for the in-
imitable French-ladyhood perceptible in every movement.
See, what would you not give for that unlearnable, un-
RANDOLPH HONOB. 41
translatable shrug? And what a handsome foot!" she
added, as the object of her remarks passed leisurely into
the ladies' cabin, raising her dress to shake off a wisp of
straw thereto adhering, or to display the foot in its delicate
French boot.
" What a number of workmen !" cried Carrie, the coquet-
tish eye-glass she affected levelled toward the wharf
" Where on earth can they all be going ?"
" To work on the Rip Raps, probably. I hear it is to be
completed with desperate energy. Or, perhaps, to erect
a Bastille for our accommodation on the Eastern shore.
Why, there are two parties, are there not ? each regarding
the other somewhat jealously, methinks. But no, the last
is not embarking. Confusion in the building of Babel !"
Now the. boat pushed off, and the girls took their seats
on the guards. Carrie, lounging on her bench, was soon
deep in the pages of a new novel, now and then looking up
to yawn, or to stretch out her hand lazily for the paper of
bonbons lying on Fadette's lap.
Fadette's book lay with the leaves yet uncut. Her arm
rested on the railing, her eyes wandered over the green
waters, which the breeze was now cresting with white, to
the verdant slopes beyond, where rose the yellow walls of
Fort McHenry. Above them waved the stars and stripes,
and upon the parade-ground she could see squads of re-
cruits drilling, wdiile strains of martial music wafted faintly
on. She set her teeth and drew a hard breath, as she
thought of the dungeon within, Avhence her guardian had
but yesterday been removed, only to exchange it for the
dreaded Fort Lafayette. Since she could see him no more,
she had yielded to much urging, and was now bound, with
Carrie and Miss Randolph, on a visit to a gay and hospit-
able country-house in Somerset.
She was roused from meditations sad and hopeful by the
48 RANDOLPH IIOXOR.
approach of two of those workmen upon whose advent she
and Carrie had commented. Probably they would have
drawn no further attention as they passed her by, save that
one of them seated hunself straightway on the bench close
beside Carrie.
He was a weather-beaten, roughly attired stripling, his
general air of swaggering rowdyhood certainly not dimin-
ished by a flaming bandana, disposed bandage-wise over
one eye, and a cap slouched very much over the other.
He deposited his pickaxe against the bench between Carrie
and hunself, with the manner of one who has found a haven
of comfort, and does not mean to desert it.
His companion had moved to a distance, and stood lean-
ing on the railing, watching the spray-eddies as they dashed
up from the wheel, and then smoothed out in long lines in
its wake. He also was in laborer^s dress, and bore slung
across his shoulder a sack of tools. But Fadette's wa.s not
so cursory a view here. There was that in the thoughtful
attitude of the bowed head, in the careless easy pose of the
powerful figure, which prolonged it. Now he turned, look-
ing over his shoulder at his comrade, with a half-smile.
Fadette, thus meeting the full face, was struck with a quick
sense of recognition. But in a moment she had argued it
away. That bushy beard, and the shock of auburn-red
hair, were too noticeable for a remembrance so vague.
Even as she thought this, a change in his position brought
a pair of deep blue eyes full upon her. With them flashed
back her first impression. Confused, she knew not why,
she opened her book hastily. She read on for a few para-
graphs, and had already lost herself in the story, when a
'movement from her friend aroused her. And even as she
raised her head, she met those deep eyes again, fixed on
her with a strange intensity, yet not with the rudeness of
a stare.
RANDOLPH UONOR
49
^ Annoyed, and still more annoyed with herself for color
frLd ^""^^^^ '^^ ^^^^ '*'''^' "^'^^ ^"^ appealing glance to her
Meantime, Carrie, without lifting her eyes from the pa^e
had withdrawn .herself slightly from the juxtaposition of
him of the pickaxe. But he was not thus to be distanced.
He bent forward, resting two brown hands on his knees
and deliberately peered round the modishly-large bonnet
at the pretty blooming face within. That face was still
vei-y unconsciously bent over the book; for the seat was
a pleasant one, and its possessor had not the faintest idea
of exchanging it for the close ladies' cabin, whence scream-
i<ig children proclaimed infant minstrelsy itinerant,-audi.
tors admitted at the expense of their equanimity. O that
V ox Fopuli !
^ '^'By George! She ain't a Plu^-Ugly— not she!" Car-
rie s neighbor cried out to his companion, with an approv-
ing nod toward her. •
"Faith, I do believe she's a Blood-Tub," he added, as
the subject of his remarks, reddening with anger, arose
Drawing her shawl around her, she swept away to the
cabin, followed by Fadette, who could not restrain a rmo-
ing laugh at her friend's indignant denunciation of « our
absurd Baltimore political sobriquets— " Blood-Tub in-
deed !" '
t-es, the cabin was heated— was squally, as tempests in-
crease m torrid atmospheres. But there was no help for it
and the girls quietly resigned themselves to their fate, Car-
rie ensconcing herself on a sofa for a long nap, and Fadette
opening her neglected book.
The French lady formed the centre of quite a host of
anxious matrons. This one's cherub was teething-Rose-
bud or Lily was a victim to convulsions— and Madame's
petit ange, Vatne, or la cadette, had passed through all—
50 RAXDOLPH HOXOR.
this or that simple remede innocent, tout innocent, lui ci
sauve, what is clat you call — cle life ?
Time passed on. P'adette lingered in the " Red Deeps"
with Maggie Tulliver and Philip, and Carrie soundly slum-
bered in the red deeps of her sofa.
Time passed on, it is true. But Fadette thought him
quite at a stand-still, and growing very weary of her close
precincts, went to the door to reconnoitre.
The guards were deserted, and she drew a stool to the
railing, toward the further end, where an awning had foUen
from its fastenings at one side, and now, as she took her
seat behind, drooped, completely concealing her.
Engrossed in her book, she read on without lifting her
head, or rustling her covert by a movement.
No one was there to break upon her solitude ; and when
at last she heard approaching steps, the new-comei-s were
concealed from her, and she felt secure from observation.
The awning closed out the view like a white wall, and for
some time she read on, taking no heed, and distinguishing
only a murmur of deep-toned voices; when suddenly, in
a momentary lulling of the breeze, while the waves hushed,
and the flapping sail-cloth hung down motionless, two wor^s
aroused her into attention :
" captured saint."
" Aye," responded the other ; and on her awakened ear
the tones fell with somewhat of a remembered sound — " the
hour draws near. AYe must strike successfully, for, be the
achievement in itself great or small, it is the initial effort
of more than one of your gallant young Baltimoreans, and
* d barbe de/ol on opprend d raire.'^ "
Fadette started. And in that start, her book fell from
her knee with a distinct crash.
She had no time to collect her scattered ideas, and to
calm the vague terror which had seized upon her in those
BANDOLPH HONOR. 51
mysterious words. For even as one of her unseen neigh-
bors uttered a hasty exclamation, the other had drawn aside
the awning, and now confronted her with presented pistol.
But he dropped the muzzle on the instant, and his stern-
set mouth relaxed into a smile.
With a rapid apology to Fadette, he turned to his com-
panion, the hedger and ditcher, for whose edification he
had quoted the French proverb.
" We are safe with this young lady. She is not unknown
to me," he said.
Fadette looked up hurriedly as his comrade bowed and
moved away. She had not been wrong, then, in her im-
pression. For he who stood before her was the man whose
glance and whose voice had thrilled her with that indefina-
ble remembrance.
But he was apparently in no *haste to substantiate his
assertion. He merely remained there with absent gaze
fixed upon the waters, until she rose, embarrassed.
"Stay," he said then, detaining her with a gesture, "and
let me say how much I am indebted to this dingy old can-
vas for fonning so opportune a screen, thus forcing you to
become in a measure one of the conspirators, and enabling
me to take you wholly into our confidence. You are as-
tonished ? I am not indeed rash enough to profier this to
an entire stranger. We shall presently make ourselves
masters of this boat, and run her across to the Virginia
shore. That gained, the passengers shall be convoyed
safely and speedily back to Maryland. Trust me, there is
no cause for fear. Nay, I see you are not thinking of that,
with your kindling eyes, your joyfully clasped hands, your
half-smile of expectancy. I know well you reck little of
greater risk than this. But I rely upon you now to with-
draw quietly into the saloon, where the ending of the plot
will make itself manifest before the beginning."
52 BAXDOLPH HOXOR.
She thanked him eagerly, as he walked with her to the
entrance of the saloon. And, compelling herself to tran-
quillity, she sank back in an easy-chair, hiding her face
upon its arm, and tapping with her foot impatiently, as she
counted the slow, slow minutes, until a sudden tumult
without hurried her to the door.
Thither rushed all the womankind ; but the French lady
was nowhere to be seen. She was to be heard of, however ;
and astonishment among all, delight among the many, dis-
may among the few, followed upon the hearing.
The officers of the boat had been relieved from their ar-
duous duties : the boat was in the hands of a party of
Southerners — mechanics — and the quondam French lady,
the gallant and daring Zarvona, at their head.
The St. Nicholas speedily made for the Virginia shore.
The French lady was the centre of attraction, when Fa-
dette withdrew from the animated circle.
She was looking wistfully toward the banks, which
neared, moment by moment, and indulging in a feminine
longing that the trunk wherewith she had set out for
Somerset could, by some means, be transformed into that
vast " Xoah's ark," without which a sojourn in Dixie was
not to be thought of; but with which she vaguely specu-
lated she might possibly have won her way to Charleston
in defiance of withholden passport. Her abstraction was
broken in upon by an approaching step, and glancing up,
she recognized her self-styled friend the mechanic.
He leaned beside her on the railing, watching the shores,
where sands and woodlands now marked the margin of the
crested waves ; but when he entered into conversation, it
was only as any of his comrades might have done, while
etiquette was lost sight of in the excitement of strange in-
cident and community of sympathies. He made no refer-
ence to that claun of old acquaintance ; but appeared con-
RANDOLPH HONOR. . 53
tent that the new was being established on quite a friendly
footing. And ere Miss Randolph presently beckoned her
apart, Fadette had confided to him her southward journey
in prospect, and he, as they parted, held out his hand in a
matter-of-course manner, with the assurance that in Dixie
they would meet again. It had seemed, at the moment,
also a matter of course that she should yield her hand,
although in the next instant her color rose. But embar-
rassment was forgotten in merry laughter when she reached
Miss Randolph's side.
" Oh, my dear, my dear !" that lady whispered, with a
horrified countenance. " To think of my having told her
— him — of my wearing all last winter a strengthening-
plaster on the small of my back !"
Carrie laid her dainty gloved hand upon the fustian
sleeve^f the hero of the pickaxe.
" To think," she cried, " of this ne'er-do-weel brother of
mine calling me a Blood-Tub !"
CHAPTER VI.
irNDERGKOUXD EAILTN'AY.
' Oh the birds, the trees, the ruddy
And white blossoms sleek with rain I
Oh my garden rich with pansies I
Oh my childhood's bright romances !
All revive ....
And I see them stir again !"
Mrs. Brow>'txg.
RIGHTLY shone the October evening sitfi over
broad-leaved undulating tobacco-fields, and aslant
throusfh shadowinsc trees and tall heds^erows, when
along an mifrequented by-road passed a light spring-
wagon. Its occupants, besides a trio of struggling chick-
ens, a hamper of eggs, and basket heaped with luscious
white October peaches, were a stout, ruddy, brown-visaged
young countryman, and apparently Joan, his small wife,
sunburnt and smiling, within immense beruffled sun-bonnet.
On trotted the strong-built bay, faster and faster, at the
reminder of whip and rein, while the two sat together on
the broad seat in front, and chatted in low tones.
"To Nanjeriioy? how far did you say?" was Madam
Joan's question.
" Oh, not more than four or five miles now. You are
not tired ?"
" Have you forgot my ancient powers of endurance ?"
' " When we used to rove aU Calvert through on black-
berry raids, and march home at sunset, you with your
■ RANDOLPH nONOR. 55
apron, I with my roundabout, deeply dyed in the blood
of the slain — standing repentant but happy in the library
doorway ; while our Mentor would look up from his easy-
chair, and lay aside his book, and shake his head with
scarcely successful gravity, we solemnly vowing to do so
* never no more' — until next Saturday."
The smile vanished from her lip, and she fixed her eyes
gravely on him, as she asked :
"What, think you, would he say to this escapade of
mine ? Oh, I am so sorry I started ! I've a great mind to
stop at Nanjemoy, and get Mrs. Leigh to send me home
again."
He looked at her quickly. He leaned forward and gave
the horse a sudden lash, which made him bound oiF. Then
checking him with a jerk, he turned again, flushed, to his-
companion.
" What, after all your persuasions to my aunt — all your
arguments to convince her that you were right, and then
to return, thereby convicting yourself of headstrong folly !
And your trunks already at Nanjemoy !"
" More headstrong to go on than to go back, if there be
folly in the question."
" What nonsense !" he cried, angrily. " As if my brother
could object, when it was at his instance that you have
applied again and again for a pass to go where you may
be to-morrow, without waiting for that which, ten chances
to one, may not be granted. What is it, after all, but a
friend to visit, a river to cross ? — and lo ! we are in Dixie."
" But the Potomac is no brook over which you can carry
me safely, as when we were children. And its Virginia
shores are not South Carolina."
" True, O most learned Geographess. And therefore the
pleasanter jaunt we shall have, even unto the shores of
South Carolina."
56 BAXDOLPH HOXOR. '
She smiled duljiously, objecting —
*' But the Yankees ?"
*' Not the sign of one in our zodiac. Besides, who would
think of interfering with two staid country-folk such as we —
bona fide clod-hopper and shepherdess?"
" Shade of AVatteau forbid ! But it is astonishing how a
little brown wash metamorphoses you."
" I do not find the change in you so amaz — "
" Hold your peace, Impertinence, or I assume rustic man-
ners to match my rustic garb, and bestow upon your ears
a reminder that ' neat-handed Phyllis' is not light-handed
as the Lady Dulciuea."
The straggling hedgerows lengthen, and the dusky har-
vesters, in bordering fields, begin to cease from their labors.
Only that wood at yonder bend in the road hides Xanje-
moy, and the white walls are asserting themselves through
every wavering shadow. And there is a silvery glimpse
of the Potomac. The bay is going over the ground in
gallant style, when suddenly —
"Haltr^
And at the challenge, from the covert of low-sweeping
trees and thicket shielding from vicAV that abrupt angle,
half a dozen soldiers of a picket-camp started up from their
full-length card-playing on the sward.
Bumpkin has considerable difficulty in reining in his
steed, accomplishes it at last with unsteady hand, and reels
slightly toward his comj^anion, to whom he contrives to
whisper :
" Xever fear — they'll release us in a few minutes. Fme
flow of spirits — returning from family dinner at grand-
ma's— Widow Hawkins's, you know. Going ten miles the
other side of Xanjemoy — my wife."
And with ludicrous attempts at distinct utterance, he
RANDOLPH HONOR. 57
replied to the questions of the guard, according to tlie
synopsis contained in his aside, adding :
" Yes, Grandma Hawkins's is the best cider in the
Union — and maybe I've a leetle, just a leetle drop too
much aboard" — sinking his voice and flourishing the whip
about his head. " But I tell you what it is — I'm going to
get on a big drunk to-morrow. Bully whiskey at Nanje-
moy, boys — treat all round — take oath, hey? — Union for-
ever ! ' Hang Johnny Reb on a sour apple-tree' — Hooray !
Only" — and he caught the corporal by the confidential
button — " only don't tell the old woman, boys — don't tell
the old woman. She's a stunner, she is, when a'nfortinate
fellow's shot in the neck." And he indicated the old woman
by a gesture of the thumb over his shoulder.
At first as pale as sun-browned tints of complexion would
13ermit, she now scrutinized, though with apparent careless-
ness, the countenances of these blockaders on the " Under-
ground" passage, who had gathered round the wagon.
There was assuredly no great cause for alarm in their idle
curiosity breaking the tedium of a long October afternoon.
Such an interruption, demanding just so much exertion as
the stretching of lazy limbs, was provocative rather of good-
humor. So she composedly smoothed down her white
^pron over the shining black silk, with somewhat of a
coquettish air, asking :
" May we go on now, please sir ? Me and Thomas 's
been rather late upon the start, and we left the house at
home all alone."
" Sorry, Marm, but you'll hev to wait till the oflicer of
the guard comes round. Them's our orders. Calc'late the
house wunt git lonesome."
" How long must we wait ?" she inquired, with a shade
of anxiety in her tone.
58 BAyDOLPH HOXOR.
"Duiino. 'Bout long enouoh for ns to help you with
them beautiful peaches, that'll all spile by keeping. Was
you bringing 'em for us ? A big lot, 'most as fine as they
grow down East. Xigh onto two months sence we seen one,
or any kind o' garden sass. Here, boys, jest smell of 'em."
And he distributed the fiiiit with lavish hand among his
comrades, who declared themselves nation tii'ed of hard-
tack.
The owners the while reconciled themselves to their fate.
The cider began to take more and more visible effect' uj^on
Grandma Hawkins's grandson, who waxed garrulous under
its influence. And disregarding the scornful withdrawal
and the uplifted chin of his indignant spouse, he confided
to a select audience that the aforesaid interesting old rela-
tive had, besides very fine cider, not a little store of " tin,"
which one day would fall to the share of his old woman,
thus quite a " spec." And in confidentially low tones,
and slightly differing terms, he insinuated that rather the
" beaux yeux de sq cassette''' than her own, had made Bene-
dick a married man. Between every sentence he would
fumble in his pockets, and extracting with difiiculty there-
form what he called A, Xo. 1, tobacco, sometimes made
pressing offers of it to the soldiers, engrossed by the
peaches — ^but invariably transferred it to his own mouth
without awaiting their acceptance. Though occasionally
the expression of his face might seem to imply that A, Xo.
1, was not entirely to his taste.
Twilight was falling before the anxiously expected oflicer
made his appearance. Then, after questioning the two
staid country-people, examining the man's pockets, and
finding nothing unusual within, he decided to let them pass.
And now the moonlight, which had shown full upon the
broad river, began to creep in uncertain trembling rays
through rustling embrowning autumn foliage. The way-
BANDOLPII HONOR. 59
fhrers dashed tliroiigh the gates of a country-seat, and up
the straight over-arched avenue leading onward to the por-
tico of a heavy-built square mansion of age-darkened
moss-grown brick, in the midst of the dense oak-grove.
The servant, answering a thundering rap of the knocker,
eyed askance the man stamping his heavy boots upon the
edge of the "marble steps, and the siwi-bonneted woman
still keeping her seat in the wagon. But long-accustomed
exercise of hospitality, which an old family servant deems
as much his own as his master's, induced the negro politely
to invite even these non-" quality folks" to enter.
" Have a care, these are not exactly clod-hopper man-
ners," the woman whispered, as her companion returned to
the wagon and assisted her therefrom. " No, indeed, I
won't take your arm ; but you may give it instead to this
basket of eggs. Mercy ! the chickens are gone ! Grandma
Hawkins's fattest! Come," and she mounted the steps
and followed the servant into the hall, whence he went to
inform Mrs. Leigh of the arrival.
The piano suddenly stopped in the adjacent drawing-
room, the door was thrown open, and a young lady stood
on the threshold. She advanced, hastily, crying :
" Ah, here you are at last ! I've been looking — "
There she stopped. Her eyes became accustomed to the
glare of the well-lighted hall, and she descried a sun-bon-
neted, white-aproned figure balanced on the edge of a
chair, with a large basket on her knee. A man stood in
the centre of the floor, his hands in his pockets, ajjparently
engrossed in the examination of the chandelier. He wheeled
round at the sound of a voice, and, removing his 'hat, ex-
plained, in gruff tones, that he and his wife there had been
stopped by a set of Yankee pickets on the way home
through Nanjemoy. They could not go back all the way
they came, as a good piece of the road lay through the
60 RANDOLPU IIOXOR.
woods, and the moon wa'n't an hour high. Might they
make free to ask lodging here ?
" Certainly," the young lady had replied, when a second
thought struck her, and she added, hesitatingly, " Wait,
I'll ask."
The white-aproned figure set down her basket, rose with
great deliberation, 'and then making a sudden dart upon
the young lady, seized and kissed her, holding her in her
arms. She, too terrified to find voice for a scream, strug-
gled violently the while.
. " Why, Carrie, are you blind, are you deaf, that you do
not know us ?"
And her companion advanced, extending his hand, as he
said:
" Can Miss Carrie have forgotten her old friend Lionel
Randolph ? Let me, then, introduce her most obedient,
Thomas Brown by name."
" Xever, never," exclaimed the now laughing Carrie,
" will I trust my sight again. I was on the eve of sending
Thomas Brown about his business, for the greater security
of 3Ir. Lionel Randolph. A sorry welcome would you two
have received for sailing into a friendly port under false-
colors."
" But those false colors are rendered necessary by the
presence of the enemy near port. We were in reality
stopped by a picket. Therefore, if Miss Carrie object not,
Bhe will entertain this evening Thomas Brown and — "
" Sister. I decline the honor of your hand," Fadette in-
terrupted, gayly.
Carrie put up her eyeglass, and affected to examine them
critically, walking round them for that purpose.
" Quite a respectable-looking couple," was the conclusion
to which she arrived. " I think yon may be invited into
the drawing-room, and allowed to take tea with us. Will
RANDOLPH HONOR. 61
you leave your busket there, Miss Brown ? The servant
shall put it safely away for you. Just lay your bonnet
and shawl upon the tablej if you please."
"Ah, this is really charming," cried Carrie, as after tea
a cheerful quartette readjourned to the drawing-room,
secure from all intrusion, even of faithful, but, perhaps,
indiscreet servants, who had betaken themselves to their
several cabins. " Is it not like a reunion in the good old
times, mamma ?"
" Save two absent ones, my child," replied the placid
old lady from her armchair, wheeled close before the
hearth, where a wood-fire blazed cheerily away.
Lionel Randolph's bright brown eyes clouded, and for a
moment he lost the pleasing consciousness of that heavy,
suddenly-acquired black moustache, which covered his own
faint suggestion of the same.
" No reunion of the good old times. Miss Carrie," he re-
sponded sadly, " while your brother and mine are missing —
one in a Northern dungeon, one in a distant camp. But
we will not compare with the past. Have you no curiosity
with regard to Thomas Brown's adventures?" he asked,
with wonted gayety.
" Au contraire, I am dying to hear them. From Alpha
to Omega, please."
He did not please, however, it appeared, but inquired,
instead:
" Did you ever eat your own words. Mademoiselle ?"
" Never, Monsieur ; but could not have the slightest
objection — always make them palatable and sweet — like
these, for instance." And lifting a, box of bonbons from
the centre-table, at which she sat with her embroidery,
industriously idling, she offered them with a profound
obeisance.
62 UAXDOLPn noxoR.
" Can you recommend them as an antidote to very
naughty words ? I observe you are always supplied. I
ask in all seriousness, because I this evening swallowed a
quire of just such words. If 'rebellion' be sin, then is it
well no man is judged by that which entereth into him."
" What do you mean ?" asked the mystified Carrie.
Fadette stared, but in a moment laughed merrily.
" That explains," she cried, " why you began chewing
tobacco so indefatigably, while the picket detained us the
other side of Xanjemoy. I supposed it en rlgle for Thomas
Brown, and was revolving in my own mind whether Mis-
tress Brown was leaving any similar duty unperformed."
" Alas, no ! All the fortifications around Washington
are eaten — nothing left for ' the cankered tooth of Time' —
and their garrisons perished in the debris. I can now
imagine how Mother Earth feels after the repast conse-
quent upon a battle."
" But you surely have not lost the results of your fort-
night's dangerous sojourn in Washington ?" inquired Mrs.
Leigh, grave and anxious amid the laughter and the rail-
lery which followed.
" Xo, madam ; only rough notes I was so careless as to
leave in my pockets, dreaming not of foes about peaceful
old Xanjemoy. The papers of importance could not read-
ily be found."
Through all the merry conversation of that evening, two
voices had been rinsrinor ceaseless chancres in Fadette's
ears, and she now stole apart, throwing open the window
and passing out upon the portico, to listen to and to decide
between them. She stood there against the balustrade,
looking upward through brown clashing boughs to the
starlit skies. The ripple of the mighty river, glancing
and darkling through vistas in the grove, and distant only
by that grove, and the white winding road, seen at inter-
RANDOLPH nONOR 03
vals beyond, flowed in, sootliinoly^ witli the cuiTent of lier
thouglits, until tumultuous Avilfulness died away in the
tranquillit}'', and left her free to hear the whisper of con-
science, reminding that her guardian had bade her home to
Randoljjh Honor, not on this hare-brained expedition with
young Lionel.
" The moon is down," she called, rousing herself. " Lio-
nel, ought- you to delay ?"
He went out to her.
*' Are you ready, dearest, and not afraid ?"
" Not afraid; but — I am not going."
She spoke with quiet determination, although tears
glistened on the lifted lashes. He looked long into her
fiice, w^hich met that look steadfastly, though sorrowfully.
And then he turned sharply from her, and began striding
up and dowm the portico in silence.
She kept her place, humming in careless fashion a lively
air, and tapping the time w^ith her fingers upon the balus-
trade, while in the eftbrt to keep back fast-welling drops,
her eyes fixed themselves, strainingly, on one small star
aloft, across which that high bough sw^ept with tedious
regularity. Yet the notes quavered when he again passed
her by abruptly ; and presently she follow^ed, and touched
his arm.
" Don't be angry with me," she pleaded. " It is because
I feel I ought not. You cannot tell how it grieves me to
give it up. I have been thinking and thinking ever since
I first spoke of it this evening, though I w^ould not let you
say another word. And now I know Mr. Randolph W' ould
never consent to this."
" Is ' Mr. Randolph' always to be first ?" he demanded,
sullenly, shaking off her light clasp.
" There, now, you are behaving like a siily boy, and an
unjust one. I put myself under the care of no such mad-
64 RAXBOLPU EOXOB.
cap Hotspur. Of course Mr. Ranclolph is to be first in all
matters of right and wrong. As to affection — "
She walked away from him quite to the further end of
the piazza. The trees gloomed densely there, so that he
could not see her face when he had followed. But he
heard something very like a stifled sob.
It did not soften him. It gave him the sense of power- -
a new sense, where she was concerned. And the touch he
laid upon her shoulder was of command, rather than en-
treaty.
" Unsay your words, Fadette, or say them again with a
deeper meaning. Do you scorn me ? do you rebuff me ?
Will you never put yourself under my care. Hotspur though
I be? Fadette, this broth er-and-sister farce must end.
You are no sister of mine. I love you as a man should
love his bride, and I want a bride's answer. Speak I"
She moved so that the light which glinted through the
curtains from the oj^en window fell full upon her face.
Through her April tears broke sun-bright flashing smiles,
and she raised her finger chidingly.
" Stay, you are not commanding your company, that you
should issue orders in that style. I shall not answer one
question you have put. But you may say — ' Fadette, I —
care . for you — something more than a brother — will you
like me just a very little ?' "
Downcast and embarrassed, he stood before her. He felt
himself utterly powerless beneath those bright eyes. The
fairy-queen tyranny which had bent him from boyhood to
its sway, was not all melted away in those tear-drops.
His gaze was lowered, as he said :
" Long and truly have I loved you — you, and none other.
Is all in vain ?"
She laid her hand in his, extended towards her.
"I — I think — I am sure,'' she said softly, "that I love
RANDOLPH HONOR. G5
you better than any one in the world — yes, even than Mr.
Randolph," she added, as if in answer to some question-
ing thought. "And — don't you know I used to be your
little wife, dear Lionel ?"
At that instant the curtains were drawn baqk, and Car-
rie's gay voice cried —
" Oyez, oyez ! Mr. Thomas Brown please come forward
with his wife ! Mamma says you positively must go. Is
she not hospitable !"
Fadette had disengaged herself from her lover's arm at
the first word, and hurriedly obeyed the summons.
"You will surely go now? You cannot part my Fa-
dette— my own Fadette — from me so soon ?" Lionel whis-
. pered imploringly.
She made no answer.
" I have decided not to ofo," she said on re-entering: the
drawing-room. " Am I not right, Mrs. Leigh ?"
" What !" exclaimed Carrie, after a long, wondering
stare — " You give up \ Terra firma is no more ! But I
perceive mamma is going to side with you. And, indeed,
Mr. Randolph himself looks well satisfied ! Are you quite
sure you did not consider her rather a bore ?" she asked of
him in a playfully confidential tone.
"She has satisfied me," he replied, glancing slightly
toward Fadette, whose color rose.
He was leaning against the mantel, before the sofa, where
Fadette and Carrie had sunk down side by side. He was
twirling his coarse country straw-hat slowly and lingeringly
in his hands. At length he .broke the silence :
" Young ladies, are you occupying these last moments in
reflection upon what a hazardous journey is mine? Do
you realize that amidst those imminent perils by flood,
highway, by-way, and field, there is the dread possibility,
not to say probability, that I may lose — "
G6 RAXDOLPH UOXOR
He paused. Fadette's color fled, and her lips parted
almost with a gasp. Mrs. Leigh, from her armchair, shook
her head with unconscious foreboding.
Carrie drew down the corners of her mouth, in a vain
endeavor to hide a lurking smile.
" The dread possibility," he reiterated solemnly, " that I
may lose — two small valuables I would not willingly dedi-
cate to the adorning of some future victorious enemy. How
shall I therefore rescue them?"
While he was speaking, he had brought forth his watch,
and detached from the chain its one charm, an exquisitely
enamelled acorn. Springing open, it disclosed a tiny golden-
.winged imprisoned dryad, balancing herself on one foot
upon a large diamond embedded there. And drawing off
a seal-ring which Tom Brown's rough worsted gloves had
concealed from view of the picket-guard, he held both in
his outstretched palm.
" Will not each of you, young ladies, save one of these
from its impending fate, by taking care of it until I
come again, to redeem it with the sjDoils of' the Egyp-
tians ?"
He watched Fadette uneasily, as Carrie's eyes fixed ad-
miringly upon the priceless bauble.
" I "u-ill wear your ugly ring," Fadette said, with well-
assumed carelessness. But her glance fell before his of
ardent gratitude, and lifted itself no more, while blushing
deeply she slipped on the ring, guarding it with her dia-
mond cluster. Mrs. Leigh now spoke, earnestly :
"Lideed, Lionel, you should not delay. The servants
are already at the boat — John and Madison, perfectly trust-
worthy, you know. 3Iy dear boy, it is not safe to linger."
He shook hands cordially with her and with her pretty
daughter, who partially succeeded in an attempt to look
lachrymose, and then he turned to Fadette.
RANDOLPH HONOR.
67
" As my little sister, and as Tom Brown's wife, I claim
no more than my dues," he said, and he bent down and
kissed her suddenly.
He paused on the threshold, waved his hat, and was
gone.
CHAPTER VII.
BY FLAG OF .TRUCE.
" To us, us also, open straight;
The outer air is chilly—"
Mrs. BROw>rrs-G.
ADETTE stands apart on the deck of the Louisi-
ana, in the early Xovemher twilight. She holds,
a^lil clasped tightly in her hand, a slip of paper, the
talisman which is to work 'the great change in her life — the
pass by which, to-morrow, she will enter tlie magic bounds
of the Confederacy.
She watches the stars come out one by one, like the
lights in the fading squares of Baltimore. Those squares
are clearly defined in glowdng lines that sweep down from
the amphitheatre of hills, encircling waters where red and
golden rays are streaming broadly from vessels riding" there
at anchor. For the first time a sense of that great change
comes over her in all its force, and she starts forward,
straining her sight to gain every feature of the fast-
receding landscape, as for the last glimi^se of a familiar
countenance.
She forgets the iron grasp upon " the seven hills of
yore;" she sees not the intrenchments of Federal Hill,
nor the tents whitening that green promontory of Fort
McHenry, nor hears those bugles from the fort sounding
retreat. Tears blind her watching eyes, and in her ears
yet linger parting words and sighs.
Still before her seems the carriage upon yonder distant
wharf, in which Miss Randolph had sunk back, her veil
RANDOLPH HONOR. 69
drawn down. From its window, Carrie's pretty lace, a
very April day of smiles and tears, had thrust itself, A^^hile
her handkerchief waved the last farewell.
But a Federal officer saunters near, and thought re-
ceives a new impulse. The fetters that day by day clank
heavily in the streets of Baltimore, — and the spirit that
will not yet be fettered, shall it one day hug those chains ?
She calls to mind how, that very evening, driving down
Charles-street in the wake of a military procession, she had
caught through assembled crowds cheers, " not loud, but
deep," for Davis, for Beauregard, for Dixie. Even the
slave was carried away in the popular current ; for, as a
drunken Zouave staggered past the carriage stopped in
the press, and in maudlin tones declared he had lost him-
self, Fadette heard a spruce young negro mockingly ad-
vise him to "find himself pretty quick, or the secesh
would."
Up the street she glances with memory's eye at the shop-
windows, which, despite Dix's prohibition of the rebel-
lious colors red, white, and red, yet venture to insinuate
their proclivities in the arrangement of candies, ribbons,
etc. And further on, where alley-gates appear in dingier
localities, " Fort Lafayette," inscribed in huge black letters
upon the darkest and the dingiest walls, proclaims " rebel-
lion" rampant even here.
She thinks of one true heart far away in the real and
drearier Lafayette — of the unwearied fingers working, of
the unwearied souls praying, for the Southern soldier, for
the Southern cause. And she dreams — is it a dream some
coming dawn will verify? — these may not have sufiered,
wrought, and prayed in vain.
In the early dawn she is again there. Randolph Honor
has been watched for, and passed in the night ; and the
darkened, lonely mansion on the wooded promontory
70 BASDOLPH IIOXOR.
loomed so desolate in the pale light of the moon, that truly
it seemed " Randolph Honor no longer." Xow, stars are
paling above, and beneath, low clouds merge into the faint
blue shores. The gray, white-crested bay — the gray, white-
crested sky — alike are flushing and glowing moment by
moment in the rays of the half-revealed sun, that seems
another moon rising in crimson pomp to the throne y.onder
pale orb abandons.
The freshening breeze blows chill from the ocean. But
Fadette heeds not the frosty air. Her heart is beating
warm with hope. To-day in the land of promise !
Five o'clock and breakfast. She thinks, as she escapes
from the heated saloon, and welcomes the refreshing wind,
that nature, in the shape of the adverse currents and chop-
ping waves of the horse-shoe, and art, in the person or per-
sons who ordain breakfast a fixed fact at that particular
hour, are deliberate economists at the expense of travellers'
appetites.
She stands upon deck, watching for every well-known
phase of the changmg scene, as Old Point Comfort stretches
sandily before her. There are the woodlands whence the
Point narrows whitely southward, with blue waters upon
either hand. Aye, those sand-hills stretching forth in
peaks and ridges from the woods above the Point, wear
the old familiar aspect. Only, surely they must have
dwindled in height and breadth since those last childish
holidays which sped so rapidly among them ! She knows
where the persimmons hide behind the cedars at the foot
of that great one, and on which sunny slope the fox-grapes
ripen best. Yonder in their midst, shielded by that tan-
gled copse, lies the soldiers' graveyard, by which she has
scamj^ered tremblingly at sunset, dared by her playmates.
Beyond is " the dreadful hollow behind the little wood,"
the barren desolation of which her childish imasrination
RAXDOLPII IIOJSORr 71
had invested with a tragic weird of its own. Toward it
she bends eageHy, wIk'ii the steamer passes on, as though
she miglit tlius catch a glimpse of waA'ed sands and wave-
rounded stones and shells scattered there, the dingier
shades of which she had been fain, awestruck, to believe
gory stains. She stretches her hands lovingly toward tlie
beach, for she knows what wealth of gold and silver and
rainbow-hued shells lie there, the treasure-trove of summer
days long past. That black-ringed target is the same, or
like the same, at which she has so often watched the firing
from the water-battery. And here is the red water-battery
itself, guarding the northeast of the fort, facing one side of
the broad moat — in familiar parlance, ditch — suiTounding
in its sweep of a mile the massive octagonal granite walls
and grassy parapets of Fortress Monroe, whose casemate
embrasures overlook its waters. Dark-slated roofs of build-
ings within the ramparts make themselves manifest above,
and over the beach the lantern of the w^hite lighthouse
blazes in the sunlight. Opposite, the Rip-Raps , rises in
mid-sea, a tottering fortress on an unseen pile of rocks,
through which waves plash and gurgle wdth the peculiar
ripple of its name. Workmen are even at this early hour
gathered on the unfinished ramparts of this capture from
the sea, and the clashing of their peaceful weapons is echoed
clearly here, where the steamer rests now at the wharf at
Old Point. .
No one is permitted to land. The thirty women, half .
as many children, and a solitary man bound for Dixie,
strive to while away the time, to sleep, to read, to walk, to
talk aw\ay anxiety, as the weary hours lag until the general
commanding shall open his eyes and his mouth, and per-
haps accord j^ermission to be gone.
Fadette soon wearied of watching those ragged " intel-
ligent contraband's" transformed into beasts of burden,
72 * RANDOLPH EOS OR.
chained to lieavily-laden sleds upon the wharf. She was
saddened by the Avar-change here apj^arent in bustle, throng-
ing blue-coats, and din of workmen. Xewly-erected build-
insrs crowded into insio-nificance the few which in the olden
time had sufficed for ordnance-stores, upon the gentle
slopes stretching away from this beachy southward point
to the green bank of the moat. It was yet more sorrowful
to linger about that cottage hard by the moat. There the
multiflora trailed neglected, and Anthered from the porch
it once had veiled, even to the sloping roof, with mists of
pink and white. And its embowered garden, wont to
crown in childhood's days the May Queen, now lay strag-
gling, brown, and overgrown with weeds. It was, there-
fore, rather a relief when the order came to search the lug-
gage, and the manner of execution gave emj^loyment in
repacking.
That over, she returned to the saloon, for the wind had
changed, and the rainy fog it brought rendered the deck
no longer a pleasant retreat. She skimmed listlessly over
the pages of a novel, but it or she was unpardonably stupid.
She tried to talk, but conversation flagged into speculations
upon the general's probable decision. She tried to sleep,
but those same speculations argued still between dreams
and waking thoughts. She longed to silence that whining
child; and, finally, to put an end to that odious little
whitey-brown deputy provost (she believed he was) loung-
ing against the window opposite, and talking to good-
natured, silly Mrs. Lennox, Fadette's chaperon, with so
excessively impertinent an air.
Presently that lady crossed to Fadette, and proffered a
request in an undertone. Fadette looked rather annoyed,
but took out her porte-monnaie and di'ew from it a slip of
paper.
" There it is, Mrs. Lennox," she said, " but I would not,
RANDOLPH HONOB. 73
if I were you, show it to that man. He may be a spy for
auglit we know, and at all events is very presuming."
" Oh, my dear, that is his ignorance. I only wish to
prove to him that Baltimore is not Union, as he says Gen-
eral Dix's policy has made it. Many thanks."
And Mrs. Lennox resumed her sofa, giving the paper
into the possession of her controversialist.
As he unfolded it, and read on, a heavy frown settled on
his face. For it was a burlesque, printed in red and blue
letters, of General Dix's proclamation against the red,
white, and red — threatenings of war to the knife on all rose-
bushes, unless the wind blew them — Avarnings that those
Baltimoreans must die whose hair is red, and whose eyes
not azure— and other rhymed witticisms, very insignificant
in themselves, but so running in with the tide of popular
feeling, that these secretly printed etfusions were eagerly
sought after.
He finished the perusal of the last line; and then he
refolded the sheet, and deliberately tore it into fragments,
disregarding Mrs. Lennox's exclamation of shocked sur-
prise.
Fadette's eyes flashed, and she lost sight of all pruden-
tial considerations. She surveyed the man steadily from
head to foot, remarking in a distinct tone, while he rather
shrunk than walked away from the many scornful glances
levelled on him —
" This is the first time my attention has been especially
drawn to that prominent deputy-provost characteristic —
petty meanness. I shall know the genus again."
An hour after, a rumor filled the saloon that two among
Its inmates were to have their persons searched.
Fadette withdrew from the excited groups which con-
gregated here and there, all talking at once in awestruck
whispers — every one emphatic in declaring the order could
4
U RAyDOLPH HOyOR
not concern herself, yet feeling meantime a secret inquie-
tude.
Though she paced up and down the long apartment so
tranquilly, Fadette was by no means calm. She clenched
her fingers together in striving to maintain some degree
of composure, forcing herself to lace what was before her.
For if Mrs. Lennox's folly and her own impnidence had
pointed suspicion to her, how was she to escape ? Refuse
examination, and thus be reftised her passport, she could
not, since Randolj^h Honor was now closed, and Miss Ran-
dolph absent. And yet, although she had been wary, a
rigid examination might develop certain secrets which,
beyond a doubt, would winter her with some rebel sister-
hood in prison.
After a time she came to a resolution. And now com-
posed, though the flush of excitement burned on her cheek,
she paused in her walk at a window. Here, all this while,
a lady with whom Fadette had formed quite a friendship
during the journey had stood apart, pale as death, with
gaze fixed "sacantly on the dismal expanse of leaden skies
and waves.
" I believe," said Fadette, " that I am one of the sus-
pected. That paper of mine — what do you think '?"
"I fear," she said, with quivering breath, "they may
have discovered I was lately sent back from Harper's Fer-
ry, for attempting to smuggle through a small quantity of
medicine — I do assure you, only for my family. I will not
be searched again — they were no women there that did it —
they will have to drag me from here. I have nothings
nothing concealed, but I cannot go throngh another such
scene."
" As for me," replied Fadette, nodding significantly, " I
shall go, but I shall know how to protect myself There
are women here, but neither woman nor man shall search
RANDOLPH HONOR. 75
me. However, I shall go with them, and give you the
benefit of my experienee. Don't look so terrified. I think
that is tlie summons now."
It was, and as Fadette expected. Mrs. Lennox, on hear-
ing Fadette's name called, was distressed and alarmed be-
yond measure, and would have gone below with her, but
Fadette declined, though very kindly, saying that she was
not in the least afraid. Indeed, save that her voice rang
quicker and more decided, and her color heightened, she
Avas the Fadette of an hour ago.
She followed a soldier down stairs to the cabin door,
which he opened and closed again, shutting her in. She
leisurely began to unbuckle her belt, while listening to his
reascending step and examining her examiner, — a good-
humored looking importation, coarse and rough indeed,
but, as Fadette judged, rather manageable. So, delaying
until a heavy tread overhead informed her that the soldier
was quite out of the way, she addressed herself to the
woman, who attempted to assist in the intricate question
of hooks and eyes.
" That is great waste of time," she said, lightly. " You
wdll be obliged to help me to dress again. Whereas, if
you'll only let me alone, and say you found nothing, I'll
find twenty dollars in my purse for j^ou."
But she soon saw that bribery was ineifectual here. Na-
tive honesty, or fear of detection, prevailed over the offered
reward. One way remained.
She slipped her hand in her pocket, and click! went
something there. A quick grasp upon the w^oman's shoul-
der, a pistol suddenly lifted to her head, brought her down,
powerless and speechless with terror, upon her knees.
"Don't dare to open your lips," commanded Fadette,
resolutely drawing up her slight figure, and trying to look
as if she thought herself very formidable — " Don't attempt
76 BAyDOLPII BOX OR.
to scream, or you arc a dead woman. "See, your life is at
the mercy of one moyement of this finger. What, you will
promise any thing now ?" She had much ado to "preserves
that fitting fierce sternness of demeanor, in yiew of the
trembling creature who shrank and cowered at her feet,
yet who could haye crushed her almost at a grasp, were it
not for natiye cowardice and wholesome awe of that small
silyer-mounted weapon, which indeed gaye the odds into
Fadette's firm hand.
" Xow remember, if you inform on me, I'll follow you to
the ends of the earth — night and day you are not safe —
you shall neyer escape me. There, get uj) — some one \s>
coming. If it is the guard, you are to say you found noth-
ing. And be sure you are polite to the next lady who
comes. Here, don't stand there in the light. You are as
white as if the pistol had indeed gone ofi", and you were
your own ghost. This way," and she drew her, perfectly
passiye with fear, aside where the red curtains reflected
some color on her ashen cheek. Then pressing the prom-
ised gold in her hand, she withdrew slightly, and was en-
gaged with the fiistening of her buckle, when the door
opened, and the soldier thrust in his head.
" Got through ? Found any thing ?" he asked.
Fadette significantly put her hand in her pocket, with a
turn of the head toward the woman, who hastened to reply
in the negatiye, in a pretty steady tone. The hand emerged
with a kerchief, the soft folds of which were in requisition
to conceal a smile.
As Fadette passed her friend in the saloon aboye, she
whispered, nodding triumphantly —
"Go down, you won't haye the least trouble. I wish
you -could haye seen my farce below-stairs. Indeed, I en-
acted the heroine to perfection."
RANDOLPH HONOR. 77
Three o'clock came before the Dixie-bound were trans-
ferred from the Xouisiana to a rickety old white-flagged
ferry-boat, at last under way for Norfolk, or as near Nor-
folk as Confederate regulations i^ermitted a Federal vessel
to approach.
Most joyfully the travellers bestowed themselves on
boxes and logs in the ancient craft. To the overlooking
of the several Federal officers who accompany the Flag of
Truce, all are eagerly watching for the first glimpse of the
loved stars and bars. This was at Sewall's Point. But
alas, and alas ! distance distinguished them wofully little
from the stars and stripes.
On, while level-wooded shores draw nearer, and the boat
is fairly in James River — on, until a heavy gun booms
from a battery on shore, the signal for the boat to stop.
Crany Island with its fort lies round that bend. Thence
shortly skims over the waters a barge, and all start forward
for their first view of a Confederate soldier. Ah, these are
not ragged, not barefooted. And many a heart beats gladly
at sight of that ununiformed but stoutly-clad crew.
And oh the cordial greetings to the strangers, who, be-
cause they are "our soldiers," are old friends already — the
joyous smiles and merry laughter, and assurances that the
fast-pouring " Dixie rain will do us no harm !" For, ladies
not being expected, this is the only available boat, the
steamers being at Norfolk, and the fog too dense for sig-
nals. The soldiers endeavor, with overcoats and shawls, to
form a shelter for ladies and children, and a happier cargo
could never be found.
With light hearts, and appetites to create a famine in
the camp, were all tales true of rebeldom starvation. They
arrive at Crany Island, and soon forget hunger, wet, and
weariness in the kind hospitality of General Smith's head-
quarters.
78 RANDOLPH HOXOE.
Fadette has quite a budget of closely-writtQji papers to
deliver into the general's hands. Then," after a hurried
tour around the new fort, she once more crosses the fami-
liar gangway of the Selden, and takes with her, on her way
to Norfolk, grateful remembrances of her first experience
of "the Chivalry" under arms.
When that night she stands at a window of the Atlantic
Hotel, before she draws her curtains, that murky sky is the
brightest she has seen for months. And she wonders, with
a half-smile and a bhish, whether somebody in Dixie may
not be looking up at the heavens from his camp, and think-
ing now of her.
CHAPTER VIII.
IN CIIARLKSTOX.
"Hear what Highland Nora said :
The Earlie's son I would not wed.
Should all th(; race of nature die.
And none be left but he and 1—
For all the gold, for all the gear.
For all the lauds both far and near.
That ever valor lost or won,
I would not wed the Earlie's son."
Scott.
ilTARLIGHT and lamplight were glimmering along
the streets of Charleston, when a carriage from the
Railway Depot drove through them until it passed
the battery, and drew up before a massive iron gateway.
Fadette leaned eagerly forward, as the drowsy old gen-
tleman, her travelling companion, bestirred himself, ener-
getically fumbling about the fastening of tlie door, whik^
tiie driver dismounted, and rang the gate-bell with a pull
which brought the old negro porter, bowing, to the presence.
Yes, this was Mr. Rutledge's. And Fadette, accepting
her friend's arm, followed the servant through a broad
courtyard or rather garden, where roses clambering up
tall trees gave summer odors to the November air.
Her escort took his leave at the white-columned gallery
of the house, the gable end of which was on the street.
She was met in the hall by an elderly negro woman,
seemingly the factotum of the establishment, judging by
her consequential though respectful demeanor, and quick
80 - RANDOLPH EOXOR.
orders with regard to Fadette's trunks, to two youthful
sons of Ham.
" JMistis's been looking for you this long time, Miss," she
said, "and the blue-room's been kep' from all the company
a purpose for you. Miss Amy put her wedding off two
weeks, account of you coming, till young marster's leave
done out. Mistis say for me to bring you right up to your
room. Miss."
" My cousin Amy married ! This evening !" thought
Fadette, becoming conscious of a brilliant blaze of light in
the halls, and intense though quiet excitement in the man-
ner of those domestics whom she met in the transit to " the
blue-room."
" I'll go tell Mistis you are here, Miss, and send Irene
up," the servant said, bustling about, drawing the curtains,
and wheeling an armchair before the fire Mistis had had
kindled on account of the damp.
Fadette threw off her hat and cloak, and dropping wea-
rily into the chair, took a survey of this her special domain
in her new home. It was very appropriately named " the
blue-room." A faint suggestion of that color warmed the
neutral-tinted walls, the lace curtains were festooned with
hangings of blue, and blue velvet were chairs and sofa,
harmonizing with oak-wood and light flower-strewn carpet.
Flowers in the vases on the mantel, the two or three valua-
ble engravings, and the small carved book-shelves, with
their few selected volumes, told of a thoughtful welcome
to the stranger.
^^ Aquila non mangia moscJie^^ said Fadette, and rose
and went to the book-shelves, to discover by the character
of the food, the character of those who had placed it there.
She cast, in passing, a congratulatory glance upon the
bright face in the mirror, that it was not of those brunettes
transfigured by the juxtaposition of blue into jaunettes.
RANDOLPH UONOR. ' 81
In volume after volume of standard w^orks, modern and
more ancient, her name Avas inscribed in tlie same straight-
forward, firm, decidedly sliarp, feminine writing. She
looked awed. Here were no " mosche," certainly, and she
seemed to feel the eagle swQop upon her luckless self, when
she should flit aside, as she knew she should, from tlie
straigrht sunward flicrht. But at least her aunt, if these
were indeed her selection, must have one warm corner in
her heart, else she would hardly have chosen " The New-
comes," or "Aurora Leigh."
But the latter was a waif. Fadette deciphered in the
careless, rather illegible, but manly and free characters on
the title-page, the name " Ruthvcn Erie," and beneath, an
explanatory " His mark,^" in a fair girlish hand.
She was already reading quite a romance in the united
writings, wherein Cousin Amy was heroine and bride, and
Ruthven Erie was bridegroom — when the door opened.
The volume dropped from Fadette's hold as she went
forward to meet the fair and stately woman who entered.
The reserved though most kindly manner, the clear scru-
tiny in the handsome steel-blue eyes bent upon her, embar-
rassed her, and she could only stammer half-incoherent
replies to hospitable questions, and the- information that
her uncle had gone to meet her at the depot — strange that
he had missed her ! Evidently that warm corner of the
heart was not the vestibule open to any passer-by, but the
sanctum sanctorum — the ris^ht to enter which mio;ht not be
lightly won.
" You must be tired, my dear," Mrs. Rutledge soon said,
leading Fadette to "her seat before the fire, and standing
a moment with her hand resting upon her niece's shoulder.
" I trust, not too tired to take the part my Amy has as-
signed you this evening. Your telegram yesterday found
her in despair at your non-arrival, you being first bride-
4*
82 BANDOLPH HONOR.
maid, and she and my nei:)hew, who is to serve with you,
persistently refusing any substitute. She would have de-
layed her wedding yet longer, so set was she upon your
presence ; but our bridegroom's furlough expires to-morrow,
and he leaves almost immediately after the ceremony. But,
of course. Amy wrote you all."
"How? when?" inquired Fadette, bewildered.
" Did you not receive our letters directed to Richmond,
to the care of Mrs. Lennox ?"
" Ah, but I did not go on to Richmond. I came direct
from Xorfolk with a friend 'of Mrs. Lennox. I had heard
nothing of a wedding. I am so sorry ! I have so looked
forward to being with Amy I"
Her eyes filled with tears of disappointment. Mrs. Rut-
ledge was gratified, and smiled, as she said : " Look for-
ward still then, my child. Amy is not to leave us. Her
husband is a private in the field, and of course she cannot
be with him. You are not too weary to dress? Amy has
everything in readiness for you — rose-color and white lace.
Stand up and let me look at you. Why, child, you arc
indeed almost as tiny as Amy ! Irene, your maid, v\nll
still have time to make any slight alterations. I shall send
her \nXh. your tea, notwithstanding your refusal. After-
ward, dress as quickly as you can. Amy shall come to
you before the guests assemble."
Her maid was just tying the lace sash, and Fadette her-
self arranging before the mirror a single white caraelia in
the dark braids waving back from her brow, when there
came a manly step without, a tap at the door, and a cordial
voice calling her name. Her color deepened, and her lips
cpiivered in a smile, as the next instant her uncle stood be-
fore her, put aside her trembling hand, and folded her in
his arms.
" So ! flowers and laces quite forgot ?" he said, after a
RANDOLPH HONOR 83
moment, holding her off from the broad shelter of his
breast, and looking down upon her witli kindly hazel eyes,
wliieh had a twinkle in them. " But, fair my niece, why
did you not note in the catalogue you from time to time sent
me of your improvements at school and abroad, the beauty
into wliic'li has ripened the wild-eyed, sunburnt little romp ?
Is this she who, one winter at Randolph Honor, hid behind
the hedge, and pelted her reverend uncle with snowballs,
until he was fain to cry quarter ? What ! you laugh ! and
do not repent, wicked one ?"
" No, I do not," she declared, stoutly, shaking her head
in defiance of the gray hairs that fell in crisp waves upon
the genial brow, where, it might seem, yet lingered, here
and tliere, a flake of that snow-shower. "I have not for-
gotten how you threatened to marry me to a brownie of
the moors away down South, while Lionel should be sent
to Lethe for consoling. JSTow there lives in our neighbor-
hood an old, old aunt, Lethe by name, witch and fortune-
teller by profession, of whom I stood and stand in deadly
awe, past whose cabin on the edge of the wood I would
still scamper ; and to her keeping I thought you were to
consign Lionel. Besides, I knew only princesses in fairy
tales could, by right, be disposed of by tyrant uncles.
So I was resolved to vanquish you, and vanquish you I
did."
" Scorning to be princess, of course you will not be
Queen of Hearts. You care nothing for such baubles.
You are looking forward to a winter course of reading with
your sage uncle, eh ?"
" Not one bit of it," she promptly replied to his arch
glance.
" And what has become of Master Lionel ? Randolph
still a prisoner ?"
" Still. I wrote to Lionel from Norfolk," she went on,
84 RAXDOLPU HOXOR.
mth color very slightly heightened. " He is in tlie Virginia
army, and — "
The door, slightly ajar, was j^ushed wider, and a low,
musical voice asked — <
" May I come in ?"
That might have seemed a vision which, npon Fadette's
summons, glided into and across the room, had it not now
proven itself by a most unvisionary embrace. TThite gos-
samer robes ;
'' Golden ti'esses wreathed in one,
As the braided streamlets run ;"
deep violet eyes, loving, truthful, timid ; a childlike brow,
and childlike fi-eshness in the blue-veined fairness and soft
rose-tints ; a mouth for smiles and loving words, quivering
now and then at the remembrance of words presently to be
si^oken.
And now the mother stays a moment in the doorway,
commends Fadette's promptitude in dressing, tells both
girls they " will do A'ery well," and must come directly
down, and while the daughter nestles in the fathers out-
stretched arms, for the last time all his own, takes Fadette
under her wing, bearing her off to be introduced to bride-
maids and attendant cavaliers.
Mrs. Rutledge led the way to the library ; but no one
was witliin. And when Amy soon sent for her mother,
Fadette was left alone.
That comfortable posture, half reclining within a bow-
window, where festooned lace softened the light from the
chandelier, was pleasant after weariness of travel and sleep-
less nights preceding. Fadette drooped her head upon her
hand, and from reverie passed into a light dreamful doze.
In it, the past now outstripped, now jostled, now went
hand in hand with the future. A thousrht of Lionel and
RANDOLPH HONOR So
of that troth-plighting, mingled with a vision of this wed-
ding, where she was conscious of being Fadette, yet Amy
the bride, and Lionel strangely blended with the bride-
groom, Ruthven Erie.
Perhaps this closing scene was suggested by a dreamily
overheard conversation ; for at that moment she was roused
by low tones, and between sleeping and waking half opened
her eyes. They were too misty with slumber to take more
than a vague view of the rose-colored 'bridemaid, who,
from her seat near the hearth, was looking up so prettily
to the gentleman before her. But her words were clear :
" Yes, dear little Amy is undoubtedly perfectly happy.
Do you know, I cannot but wonder at it, betrothed as she
was, from earliest girlhood, to her cousin. And certainly
Mr. Erie is a man to whom one could well submit to be
betrothed, even Avithout the exercise of one's own free-will.
You smile. No, I do not see that Mr. Weir, bridegroom
though he is chosen, and friend as he is of mine, is Mr.
Erie's equal in any one respect. Yes, indeed, I do hon-
estly own to quite sharing in the universal furor about that
gallant cavalier. What do you say — that x4my did not
share in it ? She behaved angelically, as indeed she does
in all things, but I cannot think her breaking of the en-
gagement was entirely optional — was not rather brought
on in a degree through his coolness on his return from
Arkansas. Do you not remember a rumor of a flirtation
there ? Under the rose, my beau ideal is perhaps slightly
given to flirting."
Whether " on this hint he spake," Fadette did not give
heed. She was engrossed in the overthrow of the romance
she had been building up. In her edifice, the theory of
first love was the very corner-stone of the foundation, the
removal of which must cause the fall of the entire fabric.
And great was the fall thereof. So great, that she could
86 RAXnOLPH ROXOR.
hardly believe sweet Amy now escaped unbruised from the
ruins, and standing on the threshold of a second mansion
of happiness, whicli, since that founded upon a rock had
tottered, could hardly remain firm among the shifting
sands.
While with brow bowed on her palm she pondered,
troubled, on the cloud she thought to discern hovering
above her cousin, and traced to it the varying shadow she
had seen flitting over that fair face, the door opened, and
there entered bridemaids and bridemen, gathering now in
a merry group around the fire.
Fadette did not move. Her retreat was partly veiled
from them, and to present herself alone among strangers
was alarming. But ten minutes were not elapsed, when
the curtains were parted wider. •
It was one of those strangers, to whom she glanced
up hurriedly — a tall, strong-built man, perhaps not hand-
some, yet whose fair waving hair and beard were well set
oflT by the gray and gold uniform, whose noble head and
square broad forehead conveyed at once the knowledge of
power, and whose deep-blue eyes met Fadette's with a puz-
zling expression, while he extended his hand, accosting her
by name.
" My aunt, Mrs. Rutledge, sent me here," he said, " to
seek my truant bridemaid. Will you let me plead an
almost cousinship, in apology for thus unceremoniously
introducing Ruthven Erie ?"
That name, coming as it did while she was yet regret-
fully regarding the demolition of her romance and pour-
ing out thoughts of pity on her cousin, who must have been,
if she were not now, made so unhappy, roused in the hasty
impulsive girl a prejudice against its owner. And not
very graciously, seeing that he still stood before her abat-
ing nothing of his demand, she yielded him the tips of cold
RANDOLni HONOR 87
reluctant fingers. And when he lifted the tiny glove she
dropped, and held it outstretched upon the palm of his own
well-shapen hand, on^ instant before returning it to her,
she forgot to render thanks, declai'ing in her own mind
that she was going to hate him — that she knew — slie did
not care, though he was her aunt's nephew.
The introduction thus had led to scarcely monosyllabic
acquaintance, when the bridal tableau at length formed in
the drawing-room.
The tearless, tranquil, solemn ceremony was over. The
aged white-stoled clergyman had in God's name joined
those together whom none might put asunder. The tear-
less, trembling bride had lost her pallor in a blush, as her
friends came forward. And the handsome young soldier-
husband's flush of triumph had waxed prouder yet, while
he drew within his arm that little clinging hand which was*
his own.
Fadette's hand rested within Mr. Erie's arm, while she
passed through the drawing-rooms, detained now by Mr.
Rutledge, until a host's duties summoned him away, and
again by Mrs. Rutledge's introductions — but ever reclaimed
by her attendant brideman, as by prior right. Fadette
more than suspected, after detecting, a lurking smile of
amusement following upon some involuntary retort of her
own, that he had perceived her sudden aversion, and was
bent on overcoming it. So, laughing v\'ithin herself, she
tacitly acquiesced in his engrossing attentions, flashed back
merry repartee, mocked at his serious words, aflected dul-
ness for his bo7iS-mots, and altogether was as mischievous,
fascinating a fairy, as ever hovered in and out among the
roses on a cloudless starlit night.
Pacing to and fro on the gallery among those roses, in
reply to a well-turned, though flowery compliment, she
rallied him upon the fairy gift so lavishly to confer Jieurettes,
88 RAXDOLPII HOXOR.
and reminded him, while she paused to gather a blossom,
how long the tliorns outlasted it.
He looked down upon her smile as she stood fastening
the flower in her dress. Evidently the walls of that for-
tress of prejudice, so hastily erected and armed against
him, were not to fall down at sound of the trumpet of her
praises seven times blown upon.
"I accept the challenge," he said to himself — "Let roses
wither and thorns be yours, my little one, until you shall
e'en set me upon the topmost jDinnacle of enmity, quite
apart from and above my fellows."
So he rejoined carelessly —
"Therefore the wary among rose-fanciers do not carry
their hearts in their hands, lest they be torn quite in pieces
by vidette thorns. Look you, that rosebud in your bosom
Jias stabbed and wounded no one. The red ones are bright
in the blood of the slain. 'Lender which king, Lancaster
or York, are you ?' " He bent forv>'ard for a glimpse of her
averted face, where York had quickly unfurled warlike
ensign.
" I would I were a great sharp thorn I You are exces-
sively imjDer — "
She stopped, dismayed.
" yious to small ones ?" he supplied, in j^erfect good-
humor.
She checked herself, biting her lips while the color surged
to her brow. She half withdrew her hand from his arm.
But a vision of her lone self recrossing the broad hall, to
seek her aunt in those thronged drawing-rooms, and, too, a
sense of shame-faced childishness in her anger, made her
refrain from the display of it. So, after a moment, she
suggested following some of the promenaders as they passed
within.
"I have no manner of doubt," he said, as he turned.
RANDOLPH IIOXOR.
89
promptly obedient, "dozens of rose-fanciers have this hour
been heaping anathemas upon devoted me, in that I liave
borne triumphantly off the freshest acquisition to our city
conservatories." And ostentatiously lifting his hand, the
proportions and the whiteness of which Fadette, in spite of
herself, could not but admire, he stroked his moustache
with an exquisite air, and an ineffable smile at invisible
rivals.
" Xot too early, I perceive," he remarked, on entering
the drawing-room. " Weir there is speaking to our aunt as
if about to take leave. He goes at once to his regiment in
Virginia. My poor little Amy ! But the honey-moon and
its pleasing lunacy will endure the longer."
In the last sentence, he banished the touch of feeling in
the mention of his cousin's name, and with it the relenting
of his listener. She asked, somewhat anxiously —
"And you?"
"I? oh, you shall see me frequently." Fadette heard
with an equivocal lifting of the brows. " Quite live here
when off duty. Stationed at Moultrie— not to be dispensed
with in 'the defences of the harbor. Though, for that mat-
ter, neither am I here. There should have been a family
arrangement at one time between little Amy and— but—
a — " he ended with an affectation of embarrassed con-
sciousness.
Fadette's eyes flashed upon him, and she dropped his
anil as quickly as possible, on reaching the bay window,
where gathered almost a family group. The few guests
there conversed somewhat apart, thus leaving space for
the last words of the departing bridegroom.
" O my cousin shallow-hearted ! O my Amy— mine no
more !" ejaculated, in mock agony, Mr. Erie, at the same
time interposing his broad shoulders between the " shallow-
hearted" and curious or careless observers.
90
RANDOLPH UOXOR
Thoy were dispersing now. Mr. Weir had shaken hands,
and so had those comrades who were to yetiirn with liim to
the army.
He paused, the last, upon the gallery, and sighed heavily.
But a tiny white figure glided like a moonbeam through
the shadows — a small hand was laid timidly in his — one
instant, she was clasped to his breast — the next, they
wei"e parted.
CHAPTER IX.
SOUR GRAPES.
Little head, leant on'the pane,
Little finger drawing down it
The long trailing drops upon it—
And the " Rain, rain, come to-morrow,"
Said for charm against the rain.' "
Mils. Browning.
S these lines were pronounced behind her, Fadette
started from her tvrilight occupation thus de-
scribed, and confronted the speaker, Ruthven Erie.
Confronted — for during her month's residence here in
Charleston, she had learned to be up in arms at the very
sound of his voice. Yet though that voice alone in all her
bright young life had thwarted or contradicted her — though
the word-warfare was wont to be repeated at every fre-
quently recurring visit — though in many a skirmish her
"black flag" had gone down, and she now shrugged her
shoulders and suppressed a " Provoking !" before replyinsj
to him — still, in spite of herself, the rain dripped, dripped,
in less dismal monotony from the eaves.
"So you actually dare thus jeopardize your Attic salt?"
she said, slowly yielding her hand in greeting, as he waited
determinedly for her to do.
" Left every particle behind me in garrison," he replied,
leaning beside her against the window-frame, with a deep
breath of comfort. " And ventured across the raging bil-
lows— how they did rage! — all for the sake of a fair
92 RANDOLPH IIOXOR '
maiden, who should therefore be a little complaisant. A
dull day."
" Xot at all. Music and letter-writing in the morning,
with any amount of gossiping and soldiers' work, and a
book this evening, left nothing to be desired."
" Indeed ! Amy says she and some one — my aunt, doubt-
less— were wishing for one Rutliven Erie to read aloud
' Testimony of—' "
Fadette blushed and laughed.
"Well, and if I did," she interrupted, "that is because
Hugh Miller is easiest of comprehension A\4th a peripatetic
geological dictionary. But this book, Mr. Erie, brought
you even more vividly before me this evening."
He bent down over the volume she extended, reading in
the waning light —
" ' Vanity Fair !' "What, is it gentle William who em-
bodies me ? Ivight glad am I there was never masculine
Becky Sharpe."
" Xo, no. But you are an embodied chapter. Will you
deny it ? Who then stands aloof in Vanity Fair, watch-
ing and amiably sneering at feeble vacillating gropers in
the dark,, or at the few who, able to discern the golden
sun, covetously stare themselves blinder than the blindest
whom they lead ?"
" How can I watch, who am stumbling in Vanity Fair
^vith all the crowd ?"
" If you are, your eyes are open, and you can therefore
laugh at the ridiculous capers cut by your friends, as you
are laughing now at my moralizing mood. Xo, it is vain
to put up your hand, hoping to conceal that smile. My
eyes, too, happen to be open just at this moment ; and see
how my charm against the rain has dispelled it !"
She unclosed the long French window, and he followed
her out upon the gallery.
RANDOLPH TIOXOR 93
Indeed, " such a charm was right Canidiaii." For now
across the dripping lawn a setting sunbeam stole, and
snowy clouds, just tipped with flame and gold, drifted
across the skyey dome. So clear, so deeply blue, that
dome uplifted itself higher than ever above the waving
canopies, which, floating in mid-air, seemed rather to be-
long to earth. The low-branched trees which trailed almost
to the ground, and so shut out all save a shifting glimpse
of the tall iron railing and the street beyond, still tossed
off; gust by gust, their freighted streams. The violets and
hyacinths scattered broadcast over the sward beneath the
live-oaks, and the fringe of valley-lilies under the glossy
Cherokee hedge, sent up their sweetest dewy odors on the
moist breeze, which here where Fadette stood, shook out
with each shower of rain-drops fresh perfumes from clam-
bering rose-clusters.
" There," she said, caressing Leo, who had bounded to
her side from his couchant posture on the gallery steps —
" there is one golden streak in the twilight. A clear mor-
row at last, I prophesy."
" A more-than-ever-stormy morrow," he prophesied, teas-
ingly. " Be advised by me, and philosophically welcome
this weather as inuring to the dreariness of the backwoods.
There, amid not only water down-dropping, but water sur-
rounding, paroquets alone will take up from the moss-grown
dim old forest the conversational treble, and frogs, from
beneath your very gallery steps, the bass. When you are
once quietly settled on my place in Arkansas — "
"But," Fadette cried impatiently, "because the Yan-
kees at Port Royal have taken possession of my uncle's
plantation, and because he has been obliged to remove his
negroes to your horrible Arkansas swamp, it does not neces-
sarily follow that he will remove us there. I am sure, when
he sees for himself how unbearably desolate — But you shall
94 RAXDOLPU HOXOR
not make me quarrel this day of days. Xo, not although
you do raise your broMS with such exasperating doubt.
For, Mr. Erie, this day has been set apart, from all its fel-
lows, by the arrival of a letter from my guardian."
She glanced up to him, as if for some response to her
gladness. But his eyes fell suddenly from hers, and he
walked on by her side in silence.
After a moment he spoke.
"I, too, have had my letter to-day. TThat, you are curi-
ous ? Aye, from your other guardian — and ' tliereby hangs
a tale.' Where its scene is to be laid, in Arkansas or
Charleston, I alone can unfold. My letter against yours —
a fair exchange. Xo" — as she lifted her head defiantly —
"■ quite in Aain to think of asking Amy or my aunt, as I
have yet shown my letter to neither."
" Ah, Mr. Erie, do tell me ! Do say we are not to
go!"
" Your letter, your letter, or I disclose absolutely noth-
ing. What did your guardian write of?"
Her blushes came fast and hotly.
" Of what should he write, in the regulation-page of note
paper, open for inspection '?"
Her stammering speech betrayed her. He looked with
an intensity of earnestness down upon her downcast face.
As he looked, he paled somewhat.
" Come, come, his topic. Mine is fully worth it."
" Well then," she said, lifting her head with an assump-
tion of carelessness. " Behold one of the topics."
She extended, with the words, the hand on which was
Lionel's ring, guarded by the diamond. She tapped the
glittering gem, and held it out so that the waning light
flashed on it.
In truth, her guardian's letter had chiefly borne, in am-
biguous phi-ase, upon the bond of which Lionel's ring was
RANDOLPH HONOR. 95
the sign-manual, and of which Lionel had found means to
inform him.
But Ruthven Erie was not deceived by the diamond-
glitter. Bending down closely toward it, he had deciphered
the tiny L. R. engraven on the signet, in a scroll beneath
the cameo design.
He did not start, for it was almost what he had expected.
But it was some seconds before he spoke.
"A strange subject for a Flag of Truce prison-letter.
Am I to infer that it is of the gem's intrinsic value ? Let
me examine it, w^hile I recount my tidings."
" It is an heir-loom," she said, carelessly, putting it into
his hand. " Magnificent, is it not ? There needs many a
caution to take care of it. The other ? Oh, that my guar-
dian and I selected together in Florence. An ugly thhig,
but curious."
She yielded it too; the flush of shame for her equivoca-
tion only very slightly heightened.
" Lloyd Randolph ?" he said, half absently, half inquir-
ingly.
He missed the instantaneous expression of relief which
flitted over Fadette's face. How stupid in her ! — certainly
he would think it her guardian's ring. And certainly she
would keep up the delusion.
She presently forgot signet and diamond ii^ his news.
Yes, Mr. Rutledge had really written, and Mr. Erie must
endeavor to obtain a month's leave, arid escort the family
out to Arkansas, whither master and servants had preceded.
She was still pacing up and down, half-tearful and half-
indignant, deaf to any word of comfort which Ruthven
Erie might utter, when a step sounded behind her on the
gravelled pathway. Leo had leaped from her side with a
sharp bark of joy. She turned— she sprang forward, and
both her hands were caught in the clasp of Li jnel's.
96 RANDOLPH HOXOR.
Yet though that clasp was close, when she looked up
joyously his glance did not meet hers. In her excitement,
she did not at once wonder at this, but followed his eyes
to Ruthven Erie, who now stood alone. The rings flashed
instantly upon her mind. What must Lionel think ? But
she gave no outward sign ; only introduced the two gen-
tlemen, saw them shake hands — cordially on Ruthven Erie's
part, somewhat coolly on that of Lionel. And she kept up
the conversation gayly enough, not forgetting to address
Lionel invariably as Tom, — by which allusion to Tom
Brown's adventures, however, she failed to provoke a
smile. And when subjects of special interest to the two
home friends more frequently recurred, and Ruthven Erie
at last re-entered the house, she called after him to tell Mrs.
Rutledge and Amy that Captain Randolj^h had arrived.
Then, as if unconscious of delinquency, she linked her
arm in a matter-of-course way in Lionel's, and the two
paced ujD and down together.
She observed his clouded face.
" If you have no word for me this evening, Lionel," she
said quietly, after a turn or two, " I may as well leave you
to your meditations."
She knew too well that they were all of her, and that his
arm would draw hers closer. Xor had she the sliofhtest
intention of going.
But though he drew it closer, the cloud deepened, and
he said, angrily —
" Go then. That damned Erie is waiting for you, doubt-
less."
*' Lionel I do you speak thus to me ?"
"Fadette, how can you torture me thus? You abuse
your power. You know it is absolute — that I cannot, if I
would, free myself^that I dare not lift and cast aside these
lightly-lying, velvet-soft fingers resting so carelessly, so
RANDOLPH HONOR. 97
pulsclcssly, against my lieart. You know, were you to tell
me now that you had but a little, a very little love for me,
I would entreat — Fadette, give me that little ! Leave me
not utterly destitute !"
He entreated now. And her hand tapped his arm gently,
as it might have done that of an importunate child.
"]My dear Lionel, don't be absurd. Have I not given
you all my heart can hold ? You must be the judge, but
you seemed to think it enough to be worth the having. As
for this idea about Ruthven Erie, let me tell you we both
hate very cordially, notwithstanding that occasionally we
find each other amusing. You are in more danger from
the scowling man in the moon up there, so far as our pro-
pinquity is concerned. And don't be so v^ry self-distrust-
ful. Did you never hear of the lover whom his mistress
told deprecatingly, that she was not worthy of him ? He
answered that she ought to know best, of course."
An hour or two after, when Fadette was for a few mo-
ments alone in the drawing-room, there came approaching
footsteps on the gallery without. Lionel had left her for
an hour after dinner. Despatched on army business to
Charleston, he had only this evening to give her. But it
was not to meet him, that she now advanced. She knew
the step well, and when she found Mr. Erie alone lounging
without, in the leisurely enjoyment of his cigar, it was as
she expected. She must have her ring back before Lionel
should come again.
Ruthven Erie rose as she advanced, and offered his chair.
"Confess," he said, while she hesitated, yet finally took,
possession, and he seated himself on the low balustrade —
" you advanced to meet black eyes and moustaches."
"Blue eyes are sometimes astoundingly clear-sighted,
Mr. Erie."
08 RANDOLPH HONOR.
" Thank you. And now another question. Do five f-et
eight and incipient moustaches invariably comprise 'an
abridgment of all that is pleasant in man ?' "
" Xot unfrequently. You who are so apt at quotations,"
she continued, with an arch side-glance, " doubtless remem-
ber, ' often the cockloft is empty in those whom nature hath
builded many stories high.'"
" Have mercy, my Lady Disdain, else you reduce me to
biing up my entire reserve corps of words, and
" ' Put my whole wit in a jest,
Resolved to live a fool the rest •
Ofmy dull life.'"
" What ! you Sir Sapient, do you not know that ' words
are wise men's counters — they do but reckon by them ; but
they are the money of fools ?' "
" They can then buy me no substitute for the shafts of
my fair — yet how unfair enemy !"
" Pocket them, most valiant knight, like him of old, who
*" Although be had much wit,
"Was very shy of using it.' "
" A truce, a truce. And in token thereof — " he began.
" And in token thereof," she interposed — " my ring. Sir,
if you please."
" The precious heir-loom ?"
He placed it in her hand, but she still kept it extended.
He appeared not to notice it, until she said, with unas-
sumed timidity, and a blush which, though involuntary,
was exceedingly d 2?ro2:>os :
" My — my — guardian's ring, Mr. Erie."
She colored deeper and deeper beneath his steady gaze.
After a moment, he held out his hand also.
" In token of a truce, I will restore it," he replied. Then,
RANDOLPH HONOB, 99
as he placed it upon her finger, added, " Yet a truce is mere
child's play. Let us now and hereby swear a peace. Tru-
ly, I have not been a 'man of war from my youth up,' and
you would not crush a conquered foe who thus surrenders
at discretion *?"
" Vastly pretty — ' that was laid on with a trowel :' " the
girl laughed.
He dropped her hand, rejoining, half-amused, half-vexed:
" Hang quotations — why cannot you be original ? Hang
me, too, if I ever use another."
"Really, Mr. Erie," Fadette exclaimed after a pause,
during which he had resumed his seat and his cigar, and
she had been pulling idly at the yet dripping, trailing
roses, now and then sending a shower down upon her, " I
am more and more convinced that you are one of nature's
grand mistakes, obviously intended for a smoky chimney.
And to fulfil your destiny, there needs but a scolding wife.
What a pretty proverb the couple would enact !"
He flung the end of his cigar over his shoulder, lazily
folding his arms, and leaning upon the gallery-column, as
he replied :
" Exactly my own opinion. But there is one difficulty
in the way. Of scolding wives there is no dearth. But
the young ladies, pretty dears, have not even the word
scold in their vocabularies. That is a lesson not to be
learned before they outgrow bread-and-butter, and the
milk-and-water of human kindness."
" Oh, the first thunder-cloud turns that sour. By the
way, where got you your acidity? Are you very sure
there are no sour grapes in the question ?"
"I am very sure there are."
" Ah, do tell me all about them," and she bent eagerly
forward in her chair — " I'm the best confidant in the
world — won't tell a soul beyond — "
100 EASDOLPH HOXOR.
"Listen."
He lowered his voice and fixed his eyes upon her as he
went on :
"The grapes in question positively won't be plucked.
They grow aloft, quite out of reach, and have hedged them-
selves about with the fiercest thorns imaginable. They are
not going to ripen and fall down at anybody's feet, even
should market-day come and go. They will have the win-
ner climb for them ; and as for throwing him down a tendril
to aid in the ascent — not they ! And some one — for aught
I know, some one I must not strive to outstrip — may be
climbing higher up on the other side of the tree."
" Handsome grapes ?"
" Very."
"White or dark?"
" Decidedly on the brunette order."
" Large or small ?"
" Quite a slender bunch."
"Young?"
" Certainly not green. By the by," he added, changing
air and attitude, and banishing with a mocking smile the
melancholy brooding in the keen eyes and around the sar-
castic mouth — "by the by, is it altogether out of rule
respectfully to inquire your age ? I'll give you the year of
her birth, if you will give me the year of yours."
" But were you in earnest just now ?" she asked, waiving
his question and coloring slightly, half ashamed of her
seventeen years,
"Perfectly so."
" And when did you see the dark ladye ?"
" Let me see — about the spring or early summer."
"I cannot imagine whom you mean. You won't tell
me ? Then let me ask — forgive if I am impertinent, but
BANDOLPH HONOR. 101
you do look so very resigned — wliy you did not then at-
tempt the seizure of the spoils ?"
"Merely because I am not a fool."
"That word was., once upon a time, synonymous with
jester. I wish you would look as you did a moment ago."
" Why ?" he asked.
" Oh, because you so reminded me of — I don't know
whom — but something in the eyes when they were trou-
bled. You are quite changed now."
" Do you forget faces ?" he asked, shading his from the
light which now streamed from the drawing-room window.
" I forget every thing."
" Every thing ?"
" Every thing in the world save ancient prejudices, Mr.
Erie," she replied, gayly.
" The most narrow-minded — "
He spoke almost angrily, and she interrupted him in no
milder tone.
" Until I choose my Mentor, Sir — "
"Still at your wonted warfare, Miss Belligerent?" a
voice asked at her side. She turned as Amy tapped her
shoulder. The nlomentary vexation passed, and she re-
sponded with a smile :
"Aye. The chivalry hath laid siege to Sumter, but the
bulletin is still ' nobody hurt.' "
" Excepting the besieger," interposed Mr. Erie, ruefully.
"But what can the chivalry do when the belligerent is
also belle-regent ?"
" A reward for the worst pun on record," laughed Amy.
" Come, mocking-bird, a song !"
Ruthven Erie stood beside Fadette at the piano, turning
the leaves of her music, while his glance wandered from
102 RANDOLPH IIOXOR.
her bright face to. the rather dissatisfied one of Captain
Randolph, who across tlie room kept up a desultory con-
versation with Amy. Fadette selected a song, and open-
ing it, nodded to Lionel, saying —
" Your old favorite now, Tom."
Ruthven Erie bent down and asked, abruptly :
" Is he the brother of—"
"My guardian? Yes," she made answer, looking up
wonderingly at his sudden j^ause and obvious confusion.
CHAPTER X.
IN ARKANSAS.
•Griev"'st thou that hearts should change?
Lo, where life reigueth,
Or the free sight dqth range,
What long remaineth ?
Spring with her flowers doth die —
Fast fades the gilded sky—
And the full moon on high
Ceaselessly waneth."
Anon.
iSTD this is Arkansas !" cries Fadette.
On this sultry Christmas eve, in her light muslin
dress, she is standing at the unclosed window of a
pretty cottage parlor. It opens upon a gallery where
velvet-leaved woodbine clambers up the columns against
which the wild peach flings ever-green glossy boughs.
The cotton-wood hard by is rustling its large gray with-
ered leaves, the few that winter has left, with a stormy
sound ; and those locusts there without the arbored gate,
and the catalpa which grows within it, sway to and fro,
slender, pale, and naked. But the magnolias, the spread-
ing willow-oaks there to the left, and the w41d peach scat-
tered in vivid verdure here, there, and everywhere over
the lawn, have scarce felt the frosty touch. Tlie straight
walk leads to the gate between hedges of daily roses now
in full bloom for Christmas honors. A breath of violets is
wafted on the heavy air, from under the crab-apple tree
far to Fadette's left, whence stretches the level lawn to
loi RANDOLPU noxon.
low-rolling pastures, rounded by the gleam of waters. On
the other hand, where ends the lawn, neat rows of quarter-
cottages rise in the grove. Here, where the trees cluster
densely on the edge of the lawn, and the light fence curves
outward to the road, nestles a pagoda-like lodge for guests'
additional accommodation. Beyond the low gate and the
line of locusts to the road, the grassy banks slope steeply
to the water. There, great oaks uplift denuded branches
in delicate tracery against the sky, where long-lingering
sunset flushes change, and ciuiver, and deepen, merging at
last into clouds that drift on stormily. Beneath the bank
gleams the chute, sheltered by the low brown field-shores
of an island. Past the island's near wooded point, the
water swells into a broad expanse of lake, its distant outer
rim level-bound, in the semicircular sweep of twelve or fif-
teen miles, by that low purple-gray line of woodland, the
white-streaked road, and sere fields with alternating light
and shade of rude worm-fences. Tlie chute as yet lies
tranquil, only now and then stu'ring, awakened by a lower
gust of wind. But the lake already rises in green waves,
foam-crested against the coming storm.
"This is Arkansas." Ruthven Erie tossed aside the
paper he had scarcely been reading in the twilight, and
came to her side.
" See the innocent white-dove cloud swallowed up by that
great black cormorant," he said. " We shall have a grand
Christmas celebration of thunder-storm ere long. Our poor
little Janet will be quite unhappy about her friend, Kriss
Kringle. She assured ' Cousin Ru' this morning that she
did not believe a word about his riding through the air on
his deer, because her fawn could not fly at all. Therefore,
she was determined to watch the boats all day, to see him
cross the lake."
" A thunder-storm I Oh, Mr. Erie I"
RANDOLPH HONOR. 105
" Afraid of them ? and sliivering. Come away from tlie
window — that fire is only briglit, not warm. So — I resign
the armchair in your favor, and will listen quite humbly
at your feet Avhile you shall explain the dangers of tliose
dread thunderbolts, the mere mention of which has dashed
the color from your face. That is, if you have not taken
the vow of silence, as might appear from your mysterious
conduct of the last hour."
" No, I won't dispossess you of your throne," she replied,
wheeling away the easy-chair and drawing a low seat be-
fore the cheerful hearth. " As for sitting at any one's feet,
I cannot imagine you in that predicament."
" Six feet two before your two tiny ones. Would you
consider them worth the raising up ?" he asked, throwing
himself into the rejected chair, and puffing aw^ay at the
cigar w^hich he had lighted with her gracious permission.
" Stoop to conquer. Sir, I never would."
" But if you fly at the sun, mocking-bird," he said lightly,
" the chances are your eyes are dazzled, and you beat your
poor little wings against some narrow garret window, glit-
tering in the reflection."
" I am content to wait the svm's good pleasure in seeking
my lowly nest. If he come, good. If he come not, why,
good too. I'll not pine."
" Not you. You'll flit at the call of some glitterless
plucked biped — you'll flutter about and build your nest and
twitter away, forgetting song and aspirations."
She bent her head in mocking acquiescence, and sat on in
silence. The flickering firelight threw her delicate profile
into relief against the white marble. Waving hair rolled
back from the temples, where blue veins traced themselves
beneath the transparent brunette hue. Eyes veiled by long
curved lashes were fixed dreamily upon the fire, and around
the small mouth hovered an unconscious smile.
106 BAXDOLPII IIOXOB.
He was leaning back, and his right hand, holding tho
neglected cigar, hung lightly over the arm of his chair.
Despite its slenderness, its whiteness, and rose-tinted palm,
there was that about the hand instinct with the poAver of
the man. Idle and careless now, upon occasion it could
grip, and that firmly. A fitting servant of the cool keen
eyes reading Fadette's fiice so searchinglv.
" And a i^ropos of thunderbolts," he reminded, as a low
distant roll broke upon the stillness, and Fadette started.
" Mr. Erie, you are laughing at me," she said, her eyes
filling and her lip trembling.
" Laughing ? Xot I. A tear ?" and he leaned forward,
gently intercej^ting the hand which would have brushed
stealthily away the unbidden tell-tale. "Xay, why will
you distrust me ?"
She glanced up at him timidly. Then with a sudden im-
pulse she laid her other hand upon that which he still held
in his firm grasp.
Her gaze was downcast, and she did not see, as she with-
drew her hands and folded them contentedly upon her knee,
how his brow flushed, and he drew a hard breath to keep
back some words that were clamoring for utterance.
" I know you will not laugh at me now," she said simply;
" I know you will be sorry for me when I tell you what
scenes every thunder-storm brings before my mind."
And she began the story of that night at Randolph
Honor — of the arrest, the captivity, the escape which she
had planned for another. Her voice grew cold there, and
she spoke sneeringly of the selfish blindness of the stranger
— bitterly of his escape — scoflingly of his ofier to return
and deliver himself up to the enemy.
At first he had given her words of sympathy from time
to time. Xow, when she ended, he said slowly :
" It were better for him had he never been born."
RANDOLPH nONOR. 107
She lifted her head.
"There it is again, tliat puzzling likeness," she cried
eagerly. "Mr. Erie, who can it he you so much resemble?
That expression haunts me. And what troubles you ? A
song for your thoughts, if you care for one."
" I do, indeed," he replied in his wonted manner ; " but I
cannot let my valuable thoughts go for a mere song."
" Oh, very well, I've named my price ;" and she resumed
her old posture, first flashing an arch glance upon him.
" Are you not going to sing for me ?" he inquired, after
a moment spent in relighting his cigar.
She made no answer ; and when she spoke again it was
on an irrelevant subject.
" I do think, Mr. Erie, that Miss Yaughan, who called upon
us this morning, is the most beautiful woman I ever saw."
"Decidedly so."
" Such magnificent dark eyes. Every feature so faultless.
Not faultily faultless either, for her face has depths, or per-
haps I should say heights, of expression I never saw in any
face before. And an exquisite figure — I'd give the world
to be as tall. An Italian princess."
" Indian, rather. She claims the blood of Pocahontas."
" Really ?"
"Really. Did you not hear me address her by that
heroine's name, Matoaca ?"
" You have known her long, then ?"
'^We are friends of years' standing, — ever since I bought
this place, seven years ago."
" Has she been grown up all that time ?" she asked.
" All that time ; which has developed her from a girl of
eighteen into a perfect woman.
"And how long since you last saw her?" she inquired
next, inly blushing again for her seventeen years.
"Since the early summer," he replied,
108 RANDOLPH HONOB.
She cast a hiimecl glance upon liim as he reached forth
his hand, filliping the ashes from his cigar. And when he
turned to her again, she pushed back her chair ^ith an im-
patient movement, and went away to the piano, murmuring
something about that fire being enough to burn one up.
And iiKleed she was flushed to the temples.
" Mr. Erie," she began, after a short silence, filled up by-
rapid marches and energetic waltzes, " do all those people
live together ?"
"All what people. Miss Sphynx?"
"Oh, that odious little Grahame concern: you know
w^hom I mean," she returned impatiently.
"Miss Grahame, courteous one? She, her cousin Mr.
Grahame, his niece Miss Yaughan — no relative of hers,
however — and his daughter-in-law, whom you have not yet
seen, and whose husband is in Virginia, all reside in the
famous ' Sleepy Hollow,' as Miss Matoaca has it. Proceed
in your cross-examination : I will e'en unfold all the gossip
of the country as it was of old."
He came and leaned Avith folded arms on the piano.
She kept up a restless accompaniment to her words as
she asked :
" Is ' Sleepy Hollow' — it must be a very stupid place —
far ofi"?"
" Twenty miles — quite a visitable Arkansas distance. A
constant visitor there, I never found ' Sleepy Hollow' weari-
some with Matoaca Vaughan. To her ennobling influence,"
he went on warmly, " I owe more than words can measure.
Evil shrinks abashed from her presence. For her mind, it
is of the highest order — deep, yet brilliant."
".So icily cold, those brilliant people!" she interrupted
with a shiver.
. " Upon the surface only," he returned, surprised at the
unaccountable dislike she had conceived for his friend.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 109
She hcnt over a music-book, seeking a song which he re-
quested.
This Matoaca Vaughan, then, was she whom he must
climb to win. To his words now those of an evening in
Charleston came with " confirmation strong as proof from
Holy Writ." This was the lofty fruit wliich would fall at
nobody's feet, seen last summer — brunette— certainly not
green.
Hitherto she had in her own mind called his avowal " the
fable of the grapes," and noAV she felt aggrieved, as though
he had deceived her. But what were his grapes to her, at
all eventST— " Hecuba to him, or he to Hecuba ?"
So she pressed open the leaves of the book upon the
piano.
"Our singing-bird is aweary," he said gently, as she
faltered on a note, and pushed back her stool.
" Then let her fly, Ruthven," answered Amy, who at that
moment had thrown open the library door unobserved.
" Have you forgot, sweet coz, the event of the Christmas
holidays — the double wedding and grand ball for which you
w^ere making such elaborate preparations yesterday ? AVould
you believe it, Ruthven, she has decked out Penelope and
Janet (the dusky) in w^hite muslin and blue flowers, to say
nothing of Irene's resplendency. Irene is one of the brides,
you know. Is not that flying in the face of the catechism
with all the pomps and vanities ? But come, the wedding-
party is assembling, and Mr. Smith has arrived. After the
marriage we will go down for a moment to the quarter, and
look on at the dance. We have had a delegation with in-
vitations, and my little sister is perfectly wild. You know
we were not on our plantation last Christmas, and her
memory goes no further back."
The library was quite brilliant as the trio entered. Large
lamps threw a softening radiance upon the octagonal walls,
] 10 nAXDOLPR Hoxon.
with their grotesqiit4y-carven wahmt book-shelves, and
upon the crimson hangings of the bow-window opening to
the lawn. Kutlivens and Erles love-locked ; cavaliers in
time-dimmed armor; fayre shej^lierdess in blue satin and
silver-broidered tunic ; a judge in gown and full-bottomed
wig; venerable clergyman in band and cassock; Revolu-
tionary officer with brilliant uniform and shining sword ;
these looked down upon this other assemblage. Mr. Smith,
the Baptist minister (the plantation negroes were generally
Baptists) stood in the centre of the apartment, and before
him the affianced four, with their quartette of bridemaids
in a line on the left hand, and groomsmen on the right, all
arrayed in white. The low bodies and short sleeves of the
girls, and the brides' white veils and small head-dress, like
white-wreathed caps, set off strangely enough the "ebon
imao-e." In the doorways and lower end of the room
thronged bright dresses of every style and description,
from silks and muslins to gay-patterned calicoes. The men
frequently sported cast-off dress-coats of their master's,
heightened by dazzling vests. Dark faces, large and small,
seemed somewhat sombre in their gravity, as all expression-
less staring faces must when unlighted by color. But now
they were all gleaming teeth and smiles, as, the short cere-
mony over, the newly-married pairs bridled up to the win-
dow where stood the "white folks," and dropped their
courtesies, and shook hands with Marster and Mistis, Mars'
Ruthven and our young ladies — retiring in great glee after
Marster' s little jest.
" Who all dem strange folks. Miss Amy ?" one of the
brides, a strapping field-hand, stayed to whisper in passing
her young mistress.
" Where, Yiolet ? Don't you know Mars' Ruthven, your
mistress' nephew, and Miss ?"
"Oh, ya'p'm, I knows all our own folks; but dem fine
B.iyDOLPII IIOXOB. Ill
ladies an' -ommon wl.at's a sittin' «p yo.ulev, .tariu' tro'
dem --at ^v^naows round de wall«? I curchcyod to 'cn.al
^Ly Wst, Miss Amy, but doy done tuk no sort o' -tiee but
r,t keep a lookin' at me all de same. Shamed to speak to
;!s niggers, I reckon ; dey don't set no store on us, dressed
up so line deyselves."
Down in the quarter, not a hundred yards' ^-alk beneatli
the oaks on the lake bank, there might seem a tmy village
Doors set wide open, according to universal negro usage,
threw a blaze of ruddy light across ^\&'!'''y '^'^J^^^
closed in by double cabins with neat galleries. In that
fether cabin, neatly swept and garnished, -s sp. J a
loner table, where stood, waiting the good pleasu,e of he
dancers the viands Mrs. Rutledge had given out from her
i<:::i;m with no sparing hand-hams, -M tm-Ueys, pies^
and cakes and candies, with abundance of coffee. And m
tL cabin whence came forth the ruddiest ^aze, when e
issued a medley of fiddle, triangle, bones, and 1>anjo ^*
the measured stamp of the fiddler, and the clapping of by
standers keeping time, there were the -«^<1 "S^"-'!
gathered together. Grandfathers and grannies with fiosty
povs" or gorgeous plaid turbans, staring little o.ies, and
yo^candolSwhoiiad "got religion," and therefore for-
:orn music and dancing, pressed against Uie .^ in le «
or loun..ed in windows or doorways. But the uneon
vlrted ^erionslv and steadily set themselves to dancing
eh other dowl, with earnest eyes watching the swift lig
leaps and springs and turns of their own clumsi y-made
fie keepincJ perfect time to the fiddle, the clapping and
tl cSer'l occasional snatches of song WonderfiU the
circumference to which that dandy bridegroom with the
wU ecrloves, and the rose in his button-hole has by week
If striiig-pla ting trained his brush-heap of a head, until
1 1 2 RAXDOLPH HOXOE.
the shininor black face, the whites of his eyes, and the glit-
tering wliite teeth are quite eclipsed by its splendor. And
the puffs and frizzles upholding the red-rose crown of his
opponent, with the wide-spread hantlkerchief pinned
dangling to her side, are no less admirable works of art,
precursors of this age of waterfall and crimpings d. la con-
trahande. AYho boasts the greatest amount of finery is
the belle. But on this occasion Fadette's and Amy's mu-
nificence, and the equalizing distribution from the annual
Christmas-box, of ball-dresses, wreaths, beads, white ker-
chiefs, and glowing vests and cravats, left little room for
envy. " Christmas-gift, ^Nlarster" — " Christmas-gift, Mistis "
— " Mars' Ruthven" — and the young ladies separately — had
been whispered by young and old through half-opened
chamber-doors all the early morning, and gifts thus forfeited
had been faithfully paid, every trifle being received with
childlike rejoicing.
Xow the dance gave place to games, still with musical
accom^^animent. The best dancers were deep in the wind-
ings of " Peep, squirrel, peep," and the wild chorus of " Up
jamboree, hui," lingered in Fadette's ear as an echo of
ancient salvagery, when she went out again on Mr. Erie's
ann.
CHAPTER XI.
"sleepy hollow.
" All smiles come in such a wise,
Where tears shall fall, or have of old,—
Like northern lights that fill the heart
Of heaven, in sign of cold."
Mrs, Browning.
MORNING in January. But so genial its awak
ing smile, that Spring, wont to linger yet another
month, is beguiled into the belief that Winter has
a^sfndoned the throne to her; and so she steals across the
border to occupy it, while, as her soft breath sighs joyfully
over tree, and bush, and flower, they
" Audibly do bud— and bud."
The red oaks yet fling bare boughs in wondrous gray
tracery against the misty blue or snow-drift heights of
heaven. Yet the breeze wafts fragrance from violets scat-
tered over the lawn, and mingles the fainter odors of the
rose-hedge, in the pink depths of which a twittering bird is
building where a morrow's frost may yet tear down his
leafy shelter. Red birds and blue flit from tree to tree,
while from yonder gnarled trunk a woodpecker, in garb of
white and black, and crimson crest, keeps sonorous rhythm
with his hollow far-sounding tap-tap.
The lake is one silver ripple, save where a white-cap
flashes up one instant, and a dark cloud of water-fowl drifts
past the island's point, here and there plashing with wings
114 RAXBOLPH UOXOR.
Wiiite-lined as spray — tranquilly learned on the war, so far
as concerns scarcity of ammunition.
In the rolling pasture beside the lawn red cattle are
standing knee-deep in the clear waters of the slough, blue
in the reflection of warm skies. There the wide-spreading
willow-oaks from time to time drop from their greenly yet
slenderly foliaged boughs a tiny leaf, with a rustle which is
heard through the stillness. A few sheep are browsing
through the sere deep Bermuda grass, where a dandelion,
a white field-daisy, golden tufts of wild chamomile, crop up
in fairy rings of verdure. Through the bared oaks and
yellow-bunched berries of leafless China-trees, blue threads
are curling upward from the quarter-cabins, and melting
away into that misty lustre which, like Indian summer,
wraps the forest in purple haze. Across the lake, and across
a level clearing on its further shores, that haze causes the
wooded banks and ridgy water-willows beyond the Missis-
sippi to loom up indistinct and shadowy, like distant hill-
ranges. Through the silence surges an almost leafless
Cottonwood upon the lawn, with a murmur as of distant
seas.
Before the gate waited an open carriage. Fadette and
Amy were already seated in it, and 3Ir. Rutledge stood
near, giving orders to a servant, and now casting an impa-
tient glance toward the gate. Thence presently sauntered
Ruthven Erie, leisurely drawing on his riding-gloves.
" Well, of all provoking men" — the girls began in a
breath.
"-'Where is the woman?' Behold her," he rejoined,
turning and nodding as Mrs. Rutledge appeared on the
gallery, calling after him, as a last word, " Xow, Ruthven,
do remember what I have said, and drive carefully."
" Consider me lectured and repentant, young ladies," he
went on, advancing to the carriage. " But what is this ?
RANDOLrn HONOR. \ ] 5
'Twill never do. I cannot possibly drive these fiery steeds
all by my lone self."
" Uncle Rutledge, Mr. Erie, offers you the appointment
of whip," called out Fadette.
IMr. Erie sprang up to his place ; then, as Mr. Rutledge
drew near, held out his hand to Fadette.
" Amy can do as she likes. I am far too comfortable to
move," Fadette said, after pretending not to observe the
invitation, until it was emphasized by a rather imperative
" Come."
" Amy won't do. Come," and he still held but his hand.
She took the seat beside him, saying, with some vex-
ation :
" I do assure you, if it Avere not for detaining Uncle Rut-
ledge, I should not."
" Sex to the life," he returned gayly. " Probably you
have learned from that Latin book — w^hat was it ? — gram-
mar ? — reader ? — you so dexterously hid from me the other
day — the origin of this animal's name." For, while speak-
ing, he was occupied in controlling with a strong hand one
of the carriage mules obstinately bent upon trotting off in
the wrong direction. " There," he continued, as the animal
at length yielded, and sped wath a will doAvn the road,
" you see also why, the quadruped being so much the more
tractable, he is lessened from the comparative to the posi-
tive degree."
*' Well for the muUer that she has the advantage," Fa-
dette laughed.
" Not at all. A mere question of time. A firm hand, a
keen eye, and — "
"The blind god out of the question," she interposed
quickly.
" Blindness out of the question, assuredly. Would you
be loved for what you are not, or for what you are ?"
116 RANDOLPH UOXOR.
She looked down, and the color wavered in her cheek, as
she replied :
" I — I would be loved. For what I am, if that be possi-
ble. But no one ever loved me, Mr. Erie, who clearly saw
my faults."
" You keep them so under control," he said, ironically.
" You know I did not mean that. But to ray guardian^
they are pretty child-ways. Aunt Randolph looks up to
me as to a miracle of wisdom and strength ; Li — Tom —
thinks me an angel."
" And your later friends ?"
" My uncle,*' she answered, sinking her voice yet lower,
*' sees not me but his pet sister, my mother, whom they say
I strongly resemble in appearance. Amy gives me all the
characteristics her own gentle heart supplies. Aunt Rut-
ledge sees my faults, and I don't think loves me very much,
although she is very kind."
" You have omitted one."
" You — understand me thoroughly, Mr. Erie."
She spoke in a stifled tone, and averted her head, ab-
sorbed in the evolutions of the woim-fence which formed a
running accompaniment to the swift motion of the carriage.
A strange smile hovered around his mouth, as he bent
forward, arranging the reins.
" So you think — " he began.
But to no listener. Fadette had turned quite away, and
was chatting gayly with Mr. Rutledge and Amy upon the
subject of Sleepy Hollow, whither they were bound.
They skirt the lake, with its level cultivated island,
fringed at the point by a grove of oaks, beneath which,
cattle range among the green and brown and yellow-tinted
bushes dipping in the water. Bordering the road lie fields
where the shrivelled cotton-plant yet flings out here and
there a remnant of its snowy bolls, and where negroes are
RANDOLPH IIOyOR. 117
busy with stick and hoe, beating down tlie stalks and gath-
ering them in heaps for the burning. At noontide tliey
lounge beneath the trees at dinner, which those sturdy
urchins, gaping round, have brought from the family
kitchen of the quarter. Here are four or five mothers re-
turning from a visit to their children, left daily in the quar-
ter in charge of the nurse. And as the carriage passes,
the servants form two dusky lines of greeting and staring,
with pulling of hats and head-handkerchiefs, and bobbing
of courtesies to all white passers-by, exclusive of "poor
white trash," whom they hold in sovereign contempt.
Behind, across a half-cleared field of decaying stumps,
blackened trunks, and gaunt, white-girdled, well-nigh
branchless trees, where a dozen woodpeckers are tapping,
sweeps the even line of woodland, blue-gray and purple-
brown, with here a shining glimpse of green, and there a
blaze of yellow or of red — white line of deadened timber,
or black-burnt pillar. The sunlight falls but dimly through
the interlacing boughs, although only at invervals there is
verdant foliage. Massive vines coil their serpent-length
aloft. Heavy Spanish moss, trailing down, a yard in
length, or festooned from tree to tree, its silver-gray dark-
ening in denseness, heightens the weird aspect of gigantic
cypresses. These rise from the black earth like so many
sapling stems, close-welded together, and sloping inward
to a pale shaft, which rears itself straight up with branches
leafed by tufts of fringy brown.
"Oh, now I begin to believe in Arkansas," exclaimed
Fadette, turning again to Mr. Erie. "This is charming.
Only look at that tree !" and she quoted softly, as if to her-
self—
" ' — The forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twi-
light,
118 RAXDOLPH IIOXOR.
Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic,
Stand like harpers hoar, Avith beards that rest on then- bosoms.'
" But I see no pines. Do they not grow here ?"
" Unknown to the Mississippi swamp, so called. Cypresses
here take the place of pines, scattered among Cottonwood,
hackbeny, pecan, oak, gum, and a few other forest varieties.
Those are cypresses," he added, pointing with his whip.
"Dismal enough, in all conscience. But what are those
nondescript things standing up so thickly among them?
Neither stumps nor posts, although they resemble the latter.
There is one almost as tall as the mules."
"Those are cypress-knees, jutting up from the roots;
and there is a cypress-well, that low stump sloping outward
on the ground. See the black water gleaming far within.
They are almost fathomless, and sometimes large enough to
engulf unwary horse and rider. Look at those yines."
" How beautiful ! They make the trunks of the leafless
trees one living mass of green ; and the mistletoe, almost
lilce foliage on that oak. If it were not for those, and the
fi-equent showers of scarlet berries, the woods would be
sombre indeed, so curtained in by their funereal moss. But,
Mr. Erie, what is the meaning of that dark line running all
along the trunks of the trees, five or six feet from the
ground ?"
"High-water mark. "When I travelled this road last
spring, I floated in a dug-out right over the top of this car-
riage. ' What is a dug-out ?' Why, if you had but a vein
of Miss Vaughan's Indian blood, you would know intui-
tively. A hollow log, paddled like a canoe, with a pro-
clivity for oversetting on the least provocation. But here
is your prototype, reasserting himself. Are you not whip ?"
Fadette laughed, and, submissive to the not altogether
moral suasion of their two drivers, the mules mended their
RANDOLPH HONOR. 119
pace, proceeding so rapidly, unmindful of stumps, mud-
holes, and corduroy patches, that Amy more than once
cried out, reminding the cousins both that it was still need-
ful to " have Charon crossing the Styx."
Upon a mound, in a clearing where the sun basked warmly
down, was served the picnic dinner, — Amy and Fadette
being in blissful ignorance, imtil the provision-basket waxed
low, that their convenient salle-d-tnanger was an old Indian
burial-ground.
Kow out of the woods, and along the river-bank. There
the broad levee, its grassy covering foded to a yellow brown,
^ses like a wall, yielding narrowed glimpses of the Father
of Waters, and his steep wooded or sand-barred banks.
Anon into the woods again. And as twilight closed in, the
carriage emerged beside the willow-fringed lake and hom-e-
euclosures of " Sleepy Hollow."
The tall slender green cane which skirts the road through
the woods, stops yonder at the boundary of the broad cot-
ton-field. There blaze fires in rows, lighting up duLky
figures in white cottonade, who feed them with the cotton-
stalks, and ward off the flames from the high worm tence
upon the road. Here and there a deadened tree, a column
of fire, glows, and sparkles, and falls, tossing off branch by
branch, or leaving constellations of red stars upon the mid-
night blackness of its charred and ruined trunk. And now
the field-hands wend leisurely home to the quarter, dimly
seen upon the lake, in that clump of oaks in the bend be-
yond the house. Contented and careless, they pass on,
whistling or chorusing as they go, chatting gayly on foot or
in that wagon which lumbers by, returning from the corn-
crib.
Sleepy Hollow indeed it is, despite the sounds of life and
wakefulness. Behind the home-grounds stretch vast rich
fields, but beyond, at every point, close in the forest soli-
120 RANDOLPH HOyOR.
tildes. Willo^vs and oaks dip on this side into the little
oval lake. And oitt into the middle of the water, on the
opposite shallow shore, straggle and push, waist-deep, whole
closely-standing lines of cypress and willow, veiling the
woods beyond with dense draperies of moss. Midway
upon the cleared shore of the lake nestles the homestead.
Oaks, pecans, and china-trees shut in the broad circular
sweep of lawn, its shrubberies and flowers scattered as if
by Nature's hand; and in the stillness, hither comes the
distant hooting of an owl, or the heavy flight of a white or
blue winged crane, disturbed from its perch in the trees
alonor the lake.
White walls now gleam between forest-trees overshadow-
ing. And, the carriage-sweep made, Fadette has time,
while Mr. Rutledge and Amy alight, to take a general sur-
vey of the house. It is of frame, high red-brick chimneys
running up on the outside, of one story, with broad front
and galleries extending round. Front door there is none,
the " hall" being a wide-roofed open space, connecting two
otherwise separate buildings. Sofa, table, and rocking-
chairs here testify to its being a place of social assembling,
although this evening the wind blows too freshly, and lights
through the crimson-curtained parlor-windows cheerfully
second the cordial reception extended to the guests at the
carriage by Mr. Grahame, and on the gallery by his niece.
Those crimson curtains swept down, over w^indows open-
ing to the gallery, upon a handsome carpet gay with bou-
quets of roses. The walls were merely white-painted
wooden panels, yet a fine portrait in oils or a valuable
engraving relieved their bareness, and from the high
wooden roof, where a beam crossed, depended a massive
bronze chandelier.
The huge fireplace, in which a light-wood fire blazed and
RANDOLPH HOXOB. 121
crackled merrily away, filled nearly one end of the apart-
ment, and it was before it that Fadette, rising from tho
grand piano, seated herself just within the group round tho
centre-table.
For a moment she observed them uninterruptedly. Or
rather, she observed Matoaca Yaughan, for further than
that glorious beauty she could not at once range. Miss
Yaughan was deep in conversation with Mr. Rutledge,
who listened with that spontaneous, chivalrous deference
which marked his birth and breeding. And well indeed
might Miss Yaughan command deference. Fadette thought,
as she looked at her, stately and regally radiant, "The
shadow of a monarch's crown is softened in her hair," — and
wondered if it were possible for one to behold, nor do her
homage. Not for Ruthven Erie, evidently. That was a
most admiring glance Fadette intercepted, as he moved
restlessly in the midst of a somew^hat one-sided colloquy, in
which Miss Grahame still detained him.
Fair Amy cooed away like a white dove to Mr. Grahame.
Ilis questions had opened the flood-gates of Carolina mem-
ories, and they flowed softly through her speech, she the
while almost oblivious of time and place and auditor. Fa-
dette caught her far-away gaze, as the tiny hands dropped
clasped upon her knee. And she divined that the pink
flush flitting over the up-turned face, rose because at the
mention of some well-known haunt came back a moment
when she had stood there with the lover-lmsband of an
hour.
Amy's interlocutor saw less, with those sharp gray eyes.
He was more interested in the number of redoubts on Mor-
ris Island than in any one engineer who had helped to
build them. He hurried from the one regiment volunteer-
ing thence to Yirginia, to the more important question of
the number remaining for the defence of the city.
122 RANDOLPH HOXOR.
Fadette, as she watched and compared Amy to tlie white
dove, thought that were Circe's court held on the shores of
Willow Lake, Amy's companion need undergo but slight
change, perched before her as he was, " the lean and slip-
pered pantaloon" d^^dndling not overmuch, and the hooked
nose scarce changing into a beak, while the wiry little
bowed figure in gray might require no vast stretch of
magic to become a quick, ruffled, intelligent gray parrot.
A preternaturally intelligent parrot, without doubt. But
still a parrot in his short, shai-p enunciations of ancient
teachings — sapient certainly, but never Aarying from the
wonted groove. And still a parrot in his pretty-poll proud
survey of himself when they are spoken — in his ruffled im-
patience and reiterations, if for a moment unattended.
Fadette glanced across where sat Miss Grahame, ttte-
d-tcte with Mr. Erie. The mark of species was strong there,
truly. Circe could have made nothing but a parrot of her.
A dwindled type — dwindled nose — diluted eyes — diluted
chatter, which adverted to little beyond the pretty-poll.
And was poll pretty ? Perhaps. But the plumage was so
beruffled Avith her strut mental, moral, and corporeal, that
beyond " fuss and feather," vision could hardly go.
And Ruthven Erie ? Were the disguise of humanity
cast aside, how would his true nature stand revealed ? The
calm, clear eagle-eye — yet no power of imagination could
convert into talons that ^firm shapely hand, which thrusts
back noAv the Avave of fair hair that will always droop
upon his brow when his head is bent in thought. And of
what is he thinking? Xot of !Miss Grahame's words,
surely. But Circe drops her wand. Fadette cannot im-
agine him in any enchantress's power, charm she ncA^er so
wisely.
Gradually the conversation became general, wandering
from the slender war-news of the day to matters of planta-
RANDOLPH HONOR. 123
tioii interest — cotton and its sovereignty — the accustomed
dependence of the Mississippi Valley for supplies upon the
Northwest — the filial love, as Mr. Rutledge defined it, of
the sons of Ham for salt pork — levees —
" By the way, speaking of levees," said Ruthven Erie,
abruptly breaking off his tete-d-ttte^ " how wags the world
with old-man Goodfellow ? Levees recall my last conver-
sation with him, when he was down wdth a vengeance upon
* levee counteractors' — a good though unwitting rendering
of contractors."
" I am glad you reminded me," said Miss Yaughan ; then
addressing herself to Mr. Rutledge, added — "Mr. Good-
fellow, old-man Goodfellow, as he calls himself, is our coun-
ty character, Sir. We have an invitation for to-morrow
evening at his jDlantation on the bayou, and if you- are
curious respecting backwoods festivities, I can promise a
hearty welcome. Though very plain, he is greatly respect-
ed, and we have always kept up a friendly sort of neigh-
borhood intercourse."
" Oh, do let us go," cried Fadette, springing up, and lay-
ing an eager hand on her uncle's shoulder.
" My old friend. Miss Charley — old enemy, I should have
said — still unmarried?" Ruthven Erie asked, when Miss
Yaughan's plan had been cordially assented to.
" Can you doubt it ? Or imagine her condescending to
marry any man upon earth ?" returned Miss Yaughan.
"Hardly. You must know her, Amy — Miss Charles
Anne Goodfellow. Then would extremes meet, you deli-
cate model of womanhood. A manly creature, manner,
voice, height, mind. Yery handsome withal. A man in
all things, save her supreme contempt for our sex."
" You forget her housekeeping attainments," suggested
Miss Yaughan.
" Is she eclucated ?" Amy inquired.
124 RANDOLPH HONOR.
"In a Kentucky conve;i//o;?, her father says. I wonder
the nuns admitted her." .
" Is she a lady ?" Fadette asked ; then bUished, aware
that the question was not .over-polite.
" She is Charley Goodfellow, sui generis^'' 3Iiss Yaughan
answered, kindly coming to her relief; " and so exceptional
is the genus, that I believe you will not once think of seek-
ing mannerism refinement. The father is an extremely
plain man, who began life with one negro and a wood-yard
on the river. The mother died long since, and the daugh-
ter grew up as the forest-trees grow, until two or three
years ago she chose to go away to a convent for train-
ing. She is a good, though eccentric, mother to her
young brother, and fairly idolizes, after her own fashion,
her elder, in honor of whose return on leave she gives the
evening."
" And does the elder brother — " began Amy.
" We shall see what we shall see," oracularly interposed
Mr. Erie ; " only don't, my dear Amy, begin too desperate
a flirtation, lest I find it a duty to despatch myself v>-ith all
possible speed to AYeir."
Miss Grahame giggled appreciatingly, perking up her
sharp little nose in a manner that quite upset Fadette's
gravity, and arranging the folds of her dress, displaying
thereby a pretty slippered foot, which evidently belonged
to no reserve-corps.
" Ohj Mr. Erie," she said, making a sudden swoop upon
him, " you must not leave us now without one of your long
visits. After seeing you weekly, as we used, you cannot
imagine how ve'y sadly we have missed you. Y'hat, you
have missed us, too, you were going to say ? Ah, but that
is so different! Though I am sure we are all unselfish
enough to give you up to our country. By the way, I am
vc'y much pleased, Mr. Erie, to hear you have lately named
BANDOLPn HO WOE, 125
your plantation after one of our greatest men — Gen. Beau-
regard. That does credit to your patriotism ; indeed it does.
Are you fond of the country, Mr. Kutledge ? You should
not have chosen the winter for your trial of it, but you will
like it very much in the spring, I assure you."
" The country ? Charming enough in pastorals, no doubt.
But give me a fine landscape in my library, where a lake
is beautiful without the inconvenience of crossing, and
clouds roll grandly up, unattended by damp and rheum.
The fiice of Xature, forsooth ! Young ladies, your mirrors
countenance my preference. And what can the voice of
the wind, or the murmur of the waters, say half so agreea-
bly as tlie tones of auld acquaintance, or the cheery chat
around the ingleside ? As to feathered songsters, not one
warbles to compare with my caged mocking-bird here.
Depend upon it. Dame Nature created the country but as
an instrument for the creation of the city. Am I not right.
Miss Yaughan ?"
Before Miss Yaughan, slowly raising her eyes from her
work, had replied. Miss Grahame hastened with a simper
of consciousness to sanction her guest's opinion, that the
feminine " human face divine" is certainly the chef (Vceuvre ;
in which sentiment the Scotch poet, liobert Burns, agrees
with her. And the city of course is the place to see peo-
ple. So much easier to get up a dance there — and for her
part, she was perfectly in love with dancing. Hereditary,
that love — her great-grandfather was a Frenchman.
Amy's knitting-ball here opportunely dropped from her
lap and rolled toward Fadette, who crossed the room to
restore it, whispering, as she leaned over her cousin's
chair —
" Sau-ce qui pent / He has my prayers, I can no more.
Now that she is setting her forbears on their dancing-feet
again, imagination refuses to suggest when she may for-
126 BANDOLPH IIOXOR
bear. I'll e'en go over to the sofa there, to Mrs. Grahame.
She is just the sweetest little woman I"
Fadette sat apart when gentle Mrs. Grahame rose from
her side at the fretful entreaty of her little girl, who had
been leaning on her lap, rubbing her sleepy half-shut eyes,
and now waxed importunate upon mamma to take her to
Mammy, while the baby Matoaca ceased her merry cooing
to the stranger.
Fadette watched, until the door closed after the neat
slight figure with the smooth brown hair, the sweet smile,
and soft white hands so tenderly guiding the uncertain
steps of the children. Then her attention reyerted to the
circle round the centre-table.
Amy sat beneath the chandelier, ayailing herself of eyery
ray of light as she went the slow round of that still intri-
cate, but most customary parlor-work, the soldier's sock.
31iss Yaughan plied swift yet careless needles, while her
dark eyes were at liberty, now to kindle with interest when
she raised them attentiyely to Mr. Eutledge, now to droop
upon the carpet, when 3Ir. Erie spoke to her earnestly
and low.
Amy was replying to Miss Grahame, and no ear less
acute than Fadette's could have caught his words — " my
letter yesterday — why did you not answer — cruel — "
The color flashed into Miss Vaughau's pale face, as T\'itli
downcast lashes she listened. Fadette flushed too, but she
lifted a book of engravings from the table near, and reso-
lutely fixed her attention upon the village group before her :
so fixed, that a moment after, Mr. Erie's voice at her side
surprised her into a start.
He claimed half her sofa, and her first impulse was to
relinquish the whole. She furtively glanced across at Miss
Vaughan's mournfully resolute bowed face, and then up at
his — not glad, not utteiiy wretched, expressing weariness
RANDOLPH HONOR. 12'7
rather than emotion. And she drew away her dress, silently
granting: his claim.
Weariness was predominant, as he threw himself back,
saying —
" Ah, Sleepy Hollow the Lesser. Be my guardian fairy,
will you, for five minutes — five centuries."
Almost he closed his eyes — so nearly, that Fadette could
unobserved observe him.
More changes passed over her countenance than over his,
where restlessness presently gave place to a quiet content.
It puzzled her more and more. Was it repose after vic-
tory ? Miss Yaughan's set mouth said nay to that. Was
it submission to defeat ? He to submit ?
Suddenly he turned, smiling as she hurriedly bent over
her engravings.
" That is not the book you were reading," he said, mis-
chiev^ously.
"How should you know what I was doing? You were
asleep."
" Xot exactly. I know by your face that you were read-
ing mine."
" Light reading, very," she rejoined, carelessly.
" On the contrary. Now interpret to me."
"If you will fall asleep again, and let me finish," she
laughed, in confusion.
" Not I. You have too fully roused me," and he leaned
forward, dropping all nonchalance of manner.
"You are too prejudiced to be observant," he added.
" I know."
" You deliberately select the glasses through which to
read a volume — rose-color for a favorite, and so on."
" But, Mr. Erie," she said, deprecatingly, " not many read
as you do. Does she to whom you have been talking ?"
" Miss Grahame ? Are you blind indeed ? How can she
128 BANDOLPU HOXOR
read, who begins and ends with great IP There is no 7i in
her alphabet."
Fadette smiled.
" Did you notice," she said, " how she pronounces * ve'y ?*
That word is the test-oath with me. But I spoke of Miss
Vaughan."
His brow darkened, and he returned severely :
" Miss Yaughan — who the deuce — I beg your pardon —
ever gave it her — looks through a darkened glass that
would discern spots on the very disk of the sun. The
spots are there, it is true, but it would be more becoming
in her to look at the rays."
Fadette's lip curled.
"Aha, Sir Sun, the rays have failed to sweeten the
grapes," she thought.
" Do you give reading-lessons ?" she asked.
" Xo unknown tongues for you, Miss Chicora. ChiiTup
away the lays you have learned^ of old, lest new ones bear
a harsher ring. Your book-knowledge of men is safe as
theoretical swimming. But one must plunge into the
stream to know its strength and depth. And if one finds
also its shallows, and the possibility of stemming the cur-
rent— still, mocking-birds, if by chance they gain the shore,
gain it with plumage Avet and ruffled. And, panting and
wave-tossed, they have no voice to sing their song."
" Yet you use that book-knowledge of men. You read a
great deal."
"But am no great reader. Distinction without differ-
ence, you think? Xot so. Men are studies, books are
light reading. The former I prefer, but accept the latter
in defiiult of them. Holmes says some people may be used
as intellectual tea-pots. Unfortunately, too many, like
your Miss Grahame, contain quantities of mysteriously
weak infusion, stale with long standing, and are so brimful
nAXDOLPH HONOR. i29
that they spout it forth in the most unprovoked manner,
will you nill you — leakily copious."
" Well, thank Fortune, I am no tea-pot," she laughed.
*' I do, most sincerely," he said gayly, " for burning hot,
icily cold, bitter-sweet you would be, all in one moment,
in the bursting of a bubble."
"And now that you have been spouting so bountifully,
I'll go dribble a few drops as my own. Don't inform on
me," she ended, rising.
J Bu ir !if?y tt 1^ ^r—r
^^m
I ^^JJ:1J1-J.^^^J
' ■' " >^ " "* -^ — ^ "^ " "
CHAPTER XII.
A BALL IX THE BACKAVOODS.
"I have grown weary of these windows — sights
Come thick enough and clear enough with thought.''
Casa Guidi Windows.
ALF-PAST five— the ball to open in two hours—
and we to make ten Arkansas miles and a bayou I
Young ladies, you will be forced to dance with me
all night in self-defence, for you will be too late for any
other partner."
So said Ruthven Erie, impatiently slashing at the rose-
bushes with his whip, as he waited on the gallery, while
the girls exchanged last words with Mr. and 3Irs. Grahame,
who were not going.
" Have mercy upon my poor flowers, for here we are,"
Miss Yaughan rejoined, descending the steps.
"You will allow me to drive you," he rather aflirmed
than requested, staying her when she would have passed
by to the large carnage.
She answered hurriedty, in a lowered tone —
" I have asked Mr. Rut ledge to go with me. If you wish
to say any thing further, you can find opportunity this
evening. It is in vain, I tell you before."
Without reply, he assisted her into the carriage, and
went bxick to seek Fadette. There she was, very near,
half hidden behind those tall rose-trees, pulling away at
the roses, her face in as deep a glow as any blossom she
RANDOLPH HONOR. 131
had tossed into her half-raised dress. In her haste, slie
had forgotten thorns, and one just then gave her a sharp
reminder. She hchl the injured hand in her other, while
tears, she scarcely knew foi* what, glittered on her droop-
ing lashes, and the full red lips were rounded in a half
fretful pout.
He watched her an instant unseen. What a child she is
still! he thought. And then he asked, gently, whether
she would not drive with him — whether she had hurt her-
self— and might he assist her.
She started and averted her head, dashing the drops
from her eyes as from her blossoms, before she faced him
brightly, twining a rose-tendril in her hair, and saying that
she believed it would be gayer in the carriage with all the
rest, as Monsieur wore his philosopher frown this evening.
Nothing at all was the matter— or — yes, she had a thorn in
her hand — which she would keep, for she rather liked the
tribe, she ended with a smile.
He looked at .her fixedly, and she seemed to feel it,
for her color deepened yet more. In a moment, he had
turned on his heel and left her. She caught his mut-
tered "Fool, to seek. for aught but coldness or caprice in
woman !"
The tear-drops.were not all gone. She brushed another
contemptuously away ere she went to claim her place in
the carriage.
" If there are grapes beyond his reach, he fain would
stoop for others, that the higher may see there are those to
be had for the plucking," she thought, watching him where
he stood a moment irresolute beside the buggy.
" Thorne," he cried, suddenly, " come over here and drive
one of the ladies. I want your horse. You profit by the
exchange, old fellow."
In this view of the case, Mr, Thorne, a late acquisition
132 BANDOLPH IIOXOR
to the party in the person of a young soklier, fully coin-
cided, and suiTcndcred the handsome bay, that, as Kuthyen
Erie vaulted into the saddle, was off in an instant, impa-
tient as his rider.
Fadette could not help looking after him admiringly, as
he galloped by. For, erer since, and mayhap ages before,
"the young Lochinvar rode out of the west," ideal gallants
" so faithful in love and so dauntless in war," have ridden
into the lists on fiery steeds, with ringing spur and flashing
steel. Sydney Smith suggests the introduction of military
dolls into the nursery, to harden the heart feminine. But
with soldiers alone, in these days at least, it will not toy,
and the battle-worn gray, duly brass-buttoned, or with few
pretensions to regulation uniformity, boasts truer glitter
imder Southern sun than any golden fleece of the herd that
would tamely submit to the shearing.
Nioht had closed in before the ten miles were passed,
and the bayou gained. "Waveless and almost currentless,
this was soon crossed in the large flat ieto which the two
carriages were driven. But a few strokes of the oars by
the ne2i;roes in waiting, impelled it from the one l)ank where
trees and bushes dipping low in the water shut out the
forest solitudes, to the other, where, through a few great
oaks in the clearing, shone forth festive lights.
The moon, too, threw light upon the sti-aight pathway
in the srass, to a log-cabin, in form resembling the Sleepy
Hollow homestead, save- that here the walls were of rough-
hewn logs, the interstices filled in with mud — an unfailing
cement, to judge by the state of the roads. These had
recalled to Fadette, as the carriage plunged through them,
traditions of Arkansas, in which the driver of the third
stratum of mules and wagon is heard suftbcatedly to ob-
ject to a fourth passing over unseeing.
Ruthven Erie walked up with Fadette to the house, in
RANDOLPH HONOR 13.3
order to post her to some indispensable extent, as he de-
clared, in backwoods etiquette.
"Do you know the received formula for dancing invita-
tions ? Hear then, and mark ! Some dashing soldier — not
a few are spending their Christmas furlough in the vicinity,
besides your most obedient — will come up to inquire, ' Want
to dance ?' You are familiar with the style in which to
reply, so far as down-look and up-look, and smile, but you
must also say, * Don't care if I do.' Upon which, you will
be requested to git up and shake yourself This may be
accomplished thus : three bobs to a courtesy — now^ remem-
ber— double-shuffle, and pigeon-wing on light fantastic.
You can jump rope ? Then you will do as far as dancing
is concerned."
" I'll watch and imitate your performances."
" Xo. I am €71 philosophe to-night, as you said. Poor
Thorne was in despair at having none but very extensive
cavalry boots, so he stepped into mine, while I enter the
cavalry, great flaps, bell-spurs, and all, as you may both
see and hear."
" Is it possible he has as small — "
" It is very possible he has as small. And now tell me — ■
canst, as ' to the manner born,' discuss spinning, warp, and
filling, recipe for persimmon beer, when the water will be
up, the last barbecue, and Tom, Dick, or Harry in Mr.
Price's or Ben McCuUough's foot-company ? And last, but
by no means^ least, the pre-eminence of Scotch snufi* over
this, that, and the other ? Xo ? Then you won't be heavy
on conversation," he pronounced gravely, shaking his head.
Fadette laughed. " What in the world has snuff to do-
with these latter days ?'-' she asked. " And voiis co7inaissez-
vous on all these topics ?"
" Both queries I leave you to answer, as here we are on
the field of your conquests to be."
134 BAXDOLPn HOXOR.
For hark I the combined liarmony of fiddle, triangle, and
banjo, with occasional warwhoop accompaniment from the
dusky, grinning banjo-player, perched in a corner above
the heads of liis musical brethren. The guests entered a
long, lofty, bare apartment, where partitions, reaching only
half-way to the roof, and the roof itself unceiled, and
crossed by heavy time-darkened beams, would seem to
present a glimpse of primitive .times in this primeval
forest.
About fifty persons, young and old, were there. Two
double sets had already formed, and to their movements
Fadette directed her attention, anxious concerning the
three bobs and a courtesy-feat. There was much more
action than in circles polite, yet not unfrequently accom-
panying grace. Elephantine gambols certainly, those exe-
cuted by Colin the heavy, or that greenfinch girl scarce
lighter. But it is truly astonishing to behold the young
soldier in cavalry boots mount in air and descend to earth
swift as eyes can follow or fiddle play, with never a jar
upon his puncheon heavier than the fall of thistle-down.
And the figures following upon each other without a
moment's pause or the hum of conversation, were many of
them new to Fadette, and struck her fancy.
While some among the dancers were simply and Avell
dressed, others might have stepped from gaudy fashion-
plates, four or five years behind the times. In garments
masculine, Confederate gray prevailed — black swallow-tail
and unpretending jeans being confined to the elderly part
of the community. The girls were pretty, for those few
among them who had the bayou complexion, muddy as its
waters in time of ovei-flow, had veiled it beneath that
powder which has done to death many a brave at a ball.
Soft white hands and easy manners, generally companions,
RANDOLPH HONOR I35
were not rare, for Southern Avomcn of whatever gmcle have
little manual labor to perform.
Those who did not dance were grouped around on
benches, or the usual split-bottomed chair — rocking-chairs
being seats of honor. Here a couj^le of serious small
planters, oblivious of festivities, were absorbed in the dis-
cussion of war-news, as contained in their last paper, a
week old. There an elderly dame in neat black silk sat
vigorously swaying to and fro, quite as interested in the
dance as the little white-headed girl upon her knee, who,
with chubby finger in mouth, stared intent upon the wild
" sasshe" of that gaudy greenfinch sister. Numbers of the
middle-aged women had drawn from their pockets small
bottles or boxes, furnished with correspondingly small
brushy sticks, which they rubbed in their mouths, first dip-
ping up the yellow-brown powder in the bottles. This was
snufl-dipping — not at all confined to the elders save at a
party, when young girls hesitate to display their passion.
But among the wall-flowers was one apart in the corner
the entire evening, who drew no such distinctions, but plied
her stick until one ceased to wonder at the snufly tint of
hair and skin, or that no one asked her to dance, any more
than they would a jar of the best Scotch. She meantime
w^as quite content, fixedly regarding the dance, as if dan-
cing, after dipping, were the one serious business of life —
from time to time hitchnig herself up on her chair, bracing
mind and body to the comprehension of figures.
Without the back windows w^aved a cluster of black
faces, shining eyes, and white teeth displayed from ear to
ear. The house and quarter negroes congregated to see
the dancing of the " white folks," among whom " our Miss
Charley" rose pre-eminent.
" So you uns had to pull up stakes in Car'lina, and make
1 3 6 nAXD OLPII HOXOB.
tracks for our country," was the greetinsr of the gray-haired
ruddy host, fixing Mr. Rutledge with his quick, light-ljhie
eye, after making the party heartily welcome to the " aver-
sions" of the evening.
"I reckon you find all mighty different here. Not
cleared and settled up like the old States. Never been
thar myself — raised in Mississippi — ^but heerd it was a hard
country, two rocks to one dirt, like our hills out yonder."
Mr. Rutledge explained 'VN'ith becoming gravity that
the two-rocks-to-one-dirt quality was confined to his hills
also. On his coast plantation was raised the finest Sea
Island cotton.
" I wonder !" was the old man's exclamation, — inquiring
next whether it was because the Yankees had " evaded"
the place, that Mr. Rutledge removed his people. " Aston-
ishing how them Yankees always are the hardest kind of
masters, though now they make out like the almighty dol-
lar wa'n't shucks to the almighty nigger. High time white
folks was a gitting out from among them. Union and Old
Flag indeed ! Can't come that shenanigan over me ! Uniou
been played out for a coon's age, and as to the old flag,
since them 'publicans taken it into their dirty hands, its
something I ain't got no use for. Xew tricks are a heap
better than the devil's threadbare coat, if it did once be-
long to respectable people. We'll go it alone if we do git
euchred ; but I reckon we'll slam them at this game, and go
laps into the next war they've a mind to try on. Them
'publicans '11 be streaking it out of the little end of the horn
yet, sure. Don't the Scriptures prophesy it ? And no fear
of Arkansas going up the spout, when Mr. Piice's got a
whole company of infootry up thar in Missourah."
Fadette, her hand still in Mr. Erie's arm, stood talking
to a tall, handsome, broad-shouldered lass, with a tAvinkle
of quiet humor in her well-opened blue eyes, and a large
RANDOLPH HONOR. I37
firm mouth, that, when she smiled, liberally displayed very
white large teeth. Her voice was rich and deep — manly,
though low. And there was a suggestion of manliness
also in the easy, quiet manner with which she received her
guests, and in the grasp of the firm white hand, which, after
for an instant covering Fadette's, met Ruthven Erie's with
such frank friendliness of greeting. Very graceful, after
its determined way, was the wave of the chestnut hair back
from the broad square forehead, and far from inelegant the
flow of the close-fitting, fine black-and-white homespun.
Fadette forgot to ask herself, as she listened, "Is she a
lady?" For she was, indeed, "Charley Goodfellow, sui
generis.''''
" Yes," she was saying in reply to Mr. Erie, " it just
came to the issue I prophesied you last Aprif, v>'hen you
left for the war. I waited on my brother for two weeks
after that ; then, in utter desperation, determined he should
crawfish no longer. I shouldered my shot-gun, and so
marched out, where he sat on the gallery, reckoning up
the votes he might expect for the captaincy of the ''new
company. And in spite of a muttered hint to paddle my
own canoe, we had then and there a thorough explana-
tion,—he or I must and should go to Virginia, and tliat at
once. N'ot that he wished to play out of the fight— he is
afraid of nothing in this round world," she went on with
a proud lifting of the head—" but he waited to go in as an
officer. As if there needed stars on a man's collar to show
him the enemy, or gold-lace bars to fight behind ! But
thus, in a fright for me, he put out in time for Manassas."
"But you did not really mean it?" half-questioned Fa-
dette, surveying her in bewilderment.
" I did that," she returned ; " I won't have the last one
of the family out here in the woods, so many bumps on a
log. My father is too old, Johnny too young. So long as
138 P.ANDOLPH HOXOB.
my elder brother does his duty there, mine is here. Per-
haps it may be, at all events, with my father and Johnny
to look after," she ended, almost with a sigh.
" But what could you do in the army ?"
" 3Ir. Erie there can tell you if his gun has brought down
more deer than mine — if he rides a wilder horse or leaps a
wider ditch. I am not afraid to chirp, I assure you, even
if there is no down here," and she stroked her chin in
manly fashion, — a gesture which Fadette afterward found
she often used unconsciously.
" True enough. Miss Charley," assented Mr. Erie. " But
why, since you thought of joining the army, did you not
do so under your gallant captain, whom I left striving so
unceasingly to enlist you ?"
She opehed her mouth rather wide for the low laugh,
rubbing her hands together gleefully.
" Routed completely — worse than Bull Run Races," she
replied. " The poor fellow abandoned his siege-guns and
fled, not daring to beg quarter. This was the way of it.
My father and Sol took it into their heads he would be a
good match for me — well-looking, river place, thirty hands,
a step above our position in society — all that sort of thing.
Even Johnny, poor boy, was given to muttering of old
maids. So here was the gentleman forevermore, tinkering
about my spinning-wheel, following me to the dairy, and
would doubtless have penetrated into the mysteries of but-
ter and curd, if I had only said the word. At first I tried
possuming — was blind, deaf, dead, to every advance. But
that was not in my line, and I determined to get the dead-
wood on hiiiL 'Twas hard — I like the creature, if only he
had not pestered me out of my life. But however hard, it
had to be done. So one morning I ordered him out hunting.
And a rare chase it was, I warrant vou. All throucrh the
woods on my red Lightning — loping along like mad, plung-
RANDOLPH HONOR. 1,09
^ ing into tlio tliickest of the canebrake, firing at random
dangerously near my sportman's head, he tlie while the
perfect impersonation of the frog in the fable, 'fun to you' —
shouting and hallooing — how I wished I dared swear too —
swimming the bayou which was running strongly from the
overflow — and bringing him np in the evening floundering
in the slough behind the quarter. That was my last view.
He went to Virginia the next day. Tliat taught what I
had been assuring him for months — that we were no show-
ing for a match, and that there were nicer and prettier girls
would yoke with him much better. I paid for the lesson
myself with a severe chill, but thought the affair cheaply
settled, as my father and brother just came to the conclu-
sion that I would never pull in double harness, and that I
had no more use for a husband than the Mississippi has for
a sail-boat. If ever I see him again, and he is married —
for he's certain now to fall in love with some soft little
creature who, for worlds, would not mount any horse but
his own hobby, and who only knows the report of a pistol
in his battle-stories — I'll e'en go up to him, explain why I
did it all, and beg his pardon."
" But he is one of the best of fellows," remonstrated Mr.
Erie, much amused. " Had you taken him in hand, you
might have made what you chose of him."
" Why should I attempt the task ? As to making any-
thing of him, churning through all eternity won't make
butter come in an empty churn."
At that moment advanced the host, arm in arm with an
individual who claims attention, were it only for his uniform,
gotten up regardless of blockade, in lavish expenditure of
buttons and gold lace, and for the conscious pride with
which he regarded both it and himself
A tall, broad-shouldered, loose-jointed figure, on which
the Confederate coat looked much as if it had dropped,
140 nAXDOLPn UOXOR.
reversing Elijah's mantle, from a lesser -to a greater. A
broad, heavy-featured countenance, over which forty rugged
"winters had begun to cast their shadows in stray lines as
rugged. A large, good-natured, vacillating mouth, .-Ind
fine teeth. Eyes of a peculiar dark wood-color, with per-
chance a slight reflection of the foliage tints — yet more
peculiar in their power of darting forward with his head
and shoulders, whenever speech became emphatic. A most
empresse manner, a low confidential tone, now and then
hurried and jerky. A perfect mane of dark hair, from time
to time shaken back with a sj^irited toss of the head, sur- ♦
mounted all. And this all. Lieutenant Solomon Good-
fellow — in familiar parlance, Sol — him the proud old man
l^resented to Fadette, and by him was her hand impressively
requested for the dance.
"A compromise between a war-horse and a sand-crab,"
Fadette whispered to Ruthven Erie, while her partner went
his way to order a change of tune. " Did you ever behold
such eyes ? They jump at one so, they would absolutely
terrify, were it not for their very inoffensive expression."
" Come, young people, stir yourselves round like a six-
mule team in a mud-hole," exhorted the old man, patting
his tall daughter on the shoulder, as she moved away.
" She is handsomer every time I see her," said Mr. Erie,
observing the father's eyes follow with evident delight.
" And just as bright as they make 'em," responded he,
nibbing his hands excitedly. " But she'll never meet up
with her match in a man, I'm afeard. Why, Sir, there was
young Stevens — him that was setting up to her when you
went away — kei*flummoxed as bad as any man you ever
seen. But he ! — he wa'n't nowhar. She give him the go-
by, kicked him plumb into the middle of last year, she did,
and they say the poor boy ain't been oft' his head since."
Fadette had much ado to keep her amusement within
RAA^DOLPIl JlOXOIi. j^j
boumls of the smile polite, while she returned her partner's
protound salaan,, and endeavored to keep paee ,vith his
pas de charge. If he made those dashes npon the enemy
she no longer marvelled at the account he had been ^ivin'^
of hnnselt single-handed, routing half a dozen in the battle
•where his bars were won.
"That is very fine," he said, having passed not in<.lo-
nously through the hazards of "circle three," and falUn<.
back on his fii^t position, unfurling a huge handkerchief,
obvious y intended for a flag of truce-" splendid exercise J
splendid-for us young people. Think so?" was his con-
tdential query, bending low for her reply
She smiled, as she assented-" ' Us, young people !' he is
oWer than my guardian !" And there came the memory
o, a far prison, and her face saddened.
_ Her partner observed it, and hastened to remove the
imagined cause.
"Don't-don't be low-spirited. It would not be wise-
would it now ?-to give up enjoying this evening because
there might not be another for the next three months'
^ ever mind, it may not be long before others of our boys
will be back, and then somebody will give an evening, for
tlfT ^T ^''^•^'"'^ '" "'• ^ ^°P« '^ ^^t"™ myself
next tall. That is, if my country can spare my services for
a tew weeks."
Fadette gravely trusted they would he spared by her
being at peace, and he could then retire under the shade
of his laurels, which might also afford shelter to his friends
She was forced to raise her handkerchief to her lips as
he be^an •' '''''' """'' """^ ^''''"'''' ""'"'^'"^ excitedly,' '
" Yes, that is just what I want. Miss-somebody to share
them with. I am a domestic man-a very domestic man-
though It might not seem so from my never haviii- mar-
142 BAXDOLPII IIOXOR.
ried. Time enougfh yet, of course, you say. But I'll tell
you — though friends — a great many — have told me I was
vain — (I don't know why, unless they judged from my
manner, being a man of the world) — yet I never have seen
any young lady I thought actually cared very much about
me — I have not, really. There are only two things I am
particular in looking for. Beauty is a very pretty, nice
thing to have — and so are negroes — but heart and mind ! — •
heart and mind I" he reiterated, laying his hand upon the
first, and tapping the forehead where cultivation of the
latter was supposed to have set its furrows. His eyes the
while darted impressively forward, reminding Fadette of
the childish days when, playing on the beach, she would
tap a captured sand-crab on the back to make him put forth
those wondrous organs.
In a pause of the dance, Fadette stole a glance where
she had left Ruthven Erie. He had disappeared. There
was Amy mingling with the dancers, where Mr. Rutledge
too had his place with a young and pretty woman, who
had consigned her three-year-old to a friend beside her.
Miss Arabella Grahame courtesied, coquetted, ambled, and
bridled, quite dazzling the tall, blushing soldier-boy, her
partner — occasionally, en Mademoiselle Oracle^ confounded
him. But where was Matoaca Yaughan ?
The quadrille, as all things must at last, came to an end,
and Fadette had seated herself near a window. For, Jan-
uary though it was, the evening was one of spring's fore-
runners, and the blazing logs T^-ithin-doors rendered the
mild air without a luxury. By dint of persevering mono-
syllables, she had driven her ardent attendant to distant
admiration — of himself. And now she sat quite alone, be-
ginning to think the ball a weariness.
She heard footsteps on the gallery outside her window ;
and the light streaming upon two passing figures, showed
RANDOLPH HONOR I43
her K lit h veil Erie, and Matoaca Vaughan on his arm. His
face was toward his companion, averted from Fadette, but
of hers she caught one glimpse. There was inefiable mourii-
fulness in the droop of the beautiful head, but the mouth
was fixed detenninedly. Fadette half-rose to go away. But
she could no longer move unseen. He had paused there,
speaking in a low, though vehemently reproachful tone—
" 3Iatoaca Vaughan, have you then no fault, that you are
so merciless toward the man you love ?"
She was silent. Fadette, where she sat, could no longer
see reply in her face.
He continued more gently —
" You know the whole truth now. What is past, is past
Then let it go."
" What is past, is past. The far and near. I let all go."
That was all. The clear, decided tones were lost as the
twain moved on.
The gayer, if less musical, tones of the fiddle were the
next she heard. And then the eager ones of young Thorne
asking her to dance.
^That drive began his conquest, that dance achieved it.
:N'ever before had Fadette appeared so bright, so gay, so
altogether charming. The dark-blue silk set off the car-
mine glow of her cheek and the sparkle of her eyes. Every
motion of the lithe figure was grace itself And with what
witchery the tiny foot, cased in its slight black boot, danced
its way right into all hearts, and left its impress there— but
most of all in that of her ci-devant driver ! Even the snuff-
maiden, whom Fadette called, in answer to her partner's
suggestion, " not a Lone Star, but a whole constellation—
the Dipper"— slipped her bottle into her pocket, engrossed
in watching, and even relaxed into a smile, moved "by the
mspiration of Fadette's ringing laughter.
Matoaca, all serene, was deep in converse with Mr. Rut-
U4 RANDOLPU HOyOR.
ledge. Riithven Erie lounged in the doorway, alone, in no
enviable frame of mind, to judge from the moody glances
following Fadette, as she glided through the quadrille, now
turning her head for 3, last word with her partner, now
listening to his, with a smile, or that pretty lifting of the
brows which was Fadette's alone.
It was the first time her will-o'-the-wisp character had
flashed out so clearly. Lingering home-sickness, the re-
straint of unfamiliar faces, absence of excitement, had ob-
scured the fairy-fire, and forced it to plod along in the path
marked out for it, instead of flitting aside, and sparkling,
and alluring after its own wayward wont. But music,
however homely, made her heart keep time, and a certain
naughty resolve, as she observed Ruthven Erie's uncon-
cealed disappointment on finding her engaged in the dance,
added yet another excitement.
So he stood there, sarcastically compassionating the de-
luded Thorne, congratulating himself upon superior wis-
dom, calling her in his heart an arrant little flirt.
Was he just ? Are there not women who can no more
help being "wo to men" than can the whirlpool avoid
drawing on the adventurous billow? And those cruel
Venus' s Fly-Traps are not midaphagi in malice prepense,
but devour their hovering prey by law of nature.
Yet, weary perhaps of the role of door-keeper, he joined
the buzzing circle round her at the conclusion of the set,
and requested the honor of her hand for the next.
" Mine is the first claim, Mr. Erie," Lieutenant Sol has-
tened to interpose.
Mr. Erie, looking quite over him, repeated his request, as
if he had not heard a word.
Ere Fadette could reply, the brilliant Sol— (" Phoebus !
what a name I") — reminded that he had the first claim,
having asked her just as Mr. Erie came up.
RANDOLPH HONOR. I45
" And I had not answered. Neither of you gentlemen
have a claim — (Sol certainly not the shadow" — she added,
to herself). " And I'll dance with whomsoever I will," she
ended, laughingly.
The whomsoever represented Mr. Erie, until she dis-
tinguished a slight smile of certainty curling his lip. She
accepted Mr. Goodfellow's arm, and they took their places
at the head of the set.
Ruthven Erie, with a lazy shrug, turned away. And
seeing Amy disengaged, he said, in passing, " Keep your-
self for me, Amy ;" then moved on to a short distance, and
leaning against the wall, proceeded to disencumber himself
of the melodious Texan spurs.
Tlte fiddler still tuning up, there was silence through the
room. Many eyes had been fixed upon the two candidates
for the honor of Fadette's hand, and the young men, Mr.
Thorne in especial, had been greatly surprised at Mr. Erie's
quiet acquiescence. Therefore, when he drew aside, and
portentously raised and examined his boot, that not un-
usual receptacle for pistols, the general conclusion arrived
at was, that something was " up."
A frightened twitter among the women, and then a hur-
ried shuffling, and barricades hastily constructed of chairs,
benches, etc., proved that the anticipated something was
nothing less than a cavalry charge.
The gallant lieutenant, following the direction of every-
body's stare, and suddenly arresting himself on the field of
Manassas, in a headlong dash he was describing to Fa-
dette, was ware of the demonstrations opposite, first ob-
served by all save the sleepy complacent fiddler twanging
away with half-shut eyes.
Imagining himself, perhaps, still upon the field of honor,
he flung himself forward into the centre of the room. First,
by an elevation of the coat-tails, he revealed a pistol hol-
7
146 RAyDOLPII UOXOR.
stcr, from which lie drew the weapon, flourishing it, and
phmting liim self firmly in a defensive attitude, as one defy-
ing the armies of Israel this day. " Come on, and I will
give your flesh," etc.
All this had passed in an instant. And how much longer
Euthven Erie, who in one quick glance had taken in the
position of affairs, and who now bit his lip to conceal his
amusement, while searching in the capacious boot-top for
the pistol every bystander was looking for — how^ much
longer he might have chosen to keep np the farce, cannot
be knowTi. For, at this moment, the maiden in green
broke away from all detaining friendly hands, and, heed-
less of terrified warnings and expostulations, scaled, at a
flying leap, all the barricades in the far comer, and with
dishevelled locks and flaming cheeks rushed forward and
threw herself into the breach.
" You shan't touch him — you shan't," she shrieked, shril-
ly. " If you want to come at him, you'll have to tramp
over my dead bo-o-ones !"
And she precipitated herself, howling, upon Ruthven
Erie, who, all unprepared for so overwhelming a force, had
considerable difficulty in preserving his equilibrium. The
rafters rang again with his shout of uncontrollable mirth,
as he endeavored to shake her ofl", while a dozen of the
brave of the sex, emulating her zeal, or beginning to sus-
pect a joke, pressed round.
Fadette and Amy, in blissful ignorance of pistols ever
being carried in boots, stared, unable to comprehend the
scene. Mr. Goodfellow stood aloof, coolly demanding fair
play, and checking those who would have interfered. Mr.
Rutledge, who knew Ruthven Erie, and young Thorne,
who knew the boots and their innocence of pistols, were
perfectly convulsed with laughter.
At this juncture, and while the ten-ified damsel's screams
RANDOLPH HONOR. 147
yet mingled in the merriment, entered Miss Charley, who
iiad the while been absent, " on hospitable thoughts intent."
With one or two imperative questions to the girls, she
elicited a dozen contradictory answers in a breath, from all
of which she judged nobody knew any thing.
" There, there, that will do," she.said. Then, with a quick
movement, was beside the howling maiden, ha.d grasped
her by the shoulder, and with one swing left her standing
in the middle of the room, where she presently tottered
into \\GY 2)rotege's brandished arms.
"You — you — Thing!" Charley said, contemptuously —
"cannot you see you are egging them on? Mr. Erie, what
is this all about ? I can learn the truth from you."
He held aloft an immense spur which he had now un-
strapped.
"Just about this. Miss Charley. There is apparently
some mysterious objection to my relieving myself of my
spurs to dance. I do assure you, young ladies, it has as .
yet slain no one at all. But if ever another hundred-and-
lifty pounder be levelled at me, I won't answer for the con-
sequences." And he brandished the spur threateningly.
Charley's hearty laugh set an example all followed. The
gallant lieutenant magnanimously shook hands with the
knight of the spur. Peace and gayety once more reigned,
and the dance proceeded^ until, with a word from his
daughter —
" Supper's next in the procram, ladies and gentlemen,"
announced Mr. Goodfellow.
" Pro-cram, indeed !" thought Fadette, taking her seat at
a long table, between the numberless dishes of which
scarcely could a glimpse of the snowy cloth be seen. A
haunch of venison ; a shoat in shining broAvn coat ; huge
wild-turkeys; wild-goose; teal-ducks; partridges; black-
birds ; great white or yellow sweet-potatoes, of which two
118 RAyDOLPH HOXOR.
filled a dish ; cakes, pies, and pyramids of sugar-candy ;
biscuit and light-bread, with golden piles of butter ; pre-
serves, and cream in bright glass pitchers; and sparkling
jellies of the wild Muscadine grape, flanked by decanters
of Muscadine wine, home-made, — were all ranged there, not
without a certain rude tastefulness, and decorated, where
that tastefulness. admitted, with violets and roses white and
red.
"Xow, gentlemen," Mr. Goodfellow said, crossing his
arms upon the table, and nodding to a servant — " now,
gentlemen, I'll show you what's what. Here's some fine
old wine our kind friend Mr. Grahame sent to make merry
with. Bor — Bor — well, it do look like ducks," he added,
peering sidelong at the bottle held close to his eyes; "and
•I reckon we'll be barking up the nght tree if Ave drink it
W'ith our duck."
Upon the host's declaring it would be a sin to take such
wine just as if it were persimmon beer, and they were
ashamed to say any thing about it, various toasts accom-
panied ; Mr. Rutledge's — " The West, where the wise men
followed the Lone Star" — occasioning three times three, and
the very original j^roposal from a shrill youth, to " take
half-a-dozen cheers and sit down."
TThen, at the close of the last dance, dawning light and
chill breeze heralded the coming sunrise, Fadette, wrapped
in a warm shawl, paced the gallery with Ruthven Erie.
All the will-o'-the-wisp sparkle was faded from her eyes,
she looked weary, and scarcely tried to suppress a yawn.
She watched those dull red streaks, wavering between the
low murky line of cloudland above, foreboding no bright
day, and the low murky line of woodland below, to which
white mists rolling up gave the semblance of clouds.
There swept over her the memory of such a sunrise once
RANDOLPH HONOR. 149
seen from the deck of the Louisiana, nearing Old Point.
Strange, lier heart had been lighter then, she sighed un-
consciously.
"What is it?" asked Ruthven Erie, who watched her
face.
"Nothing— but — Oh, I am so homesick, Mr. Erie !" she
cried, compressing her lip in the effort to control her
tears, and that painful swelling in the throat. And when
he drew the cold little trembling hand within his arm,
holding it there with a firm and tender grasp, she turned
away her head, and shivered like an aspen-leaf.
But the next instant she put a strong constraint upon
herself; for Miss Goodfellow had approached, walking be-
side Mr. Thorne, having declined his arm.
" Let me deliver up your escort," she said to Fadette ;
" I have piloted him through all perils to the haven where
he would be." And she turned to answer Mr. Erie.
"Good-morning, Mr. Thorne," Fadette cried gayly.
" But are you sure you are awake ? I would not vouch for
you."
" ' Eyes grown dim with gazing on the pilot-star,' " he
quoted in an aside, with significant shrug toward Charley.
" Fie ! is she not a friend of yours ?"
• " Far from it. A friend of my brother's. I am a com-
parative stranger in the county."
" Yes," said Charley, facing round with an amused smile,
which at once set Fadette to wondering whether she could
possibly have overheard the low-toned colloquy. "Mr.-
Thorne is a shove-out from Missouri. So renowned a jay-
hawker throughout the length and breadth of her prairies—"
"Miss Charley! Miss Charley!" interposed Mr. Erie,
who perceived the color rising angrily in his friend's bronzed
cheek; "will you then never learn the distinction between
partisan-leader and jayhawker? And is it needful further
150 BAXDOLPH IIOyOR.
to inform you that it has passed into a byword in many a
Missouri camp,
' Where his Honor pricks,
Let that aye be your bound.' "
Young Thorne stole a gratified though embarrassed
glance at Fadette. She surveyed him with awakened in-
terest.
"Oh, Mr. Thorne, have you actually been a partisan-
leader?"
He bowed.
" And not one adventure given me ? Do you know, hav-
ing brought you to confession, I have a great mind to make
you do penance by now and here beginning at the very be-
ginning, instead of going in search of the carriage, which
— Ah, there it comes, behind my uncle's ! Quite a throng
in front, however, so you have space to tell me whether
you like such adventurous warfare better than that accord-
ing to rule ?"
"Aye, that I do," he cried enthusiastically. "Since
early boyhood I have passed many a vaca — many a sum-
mer— hunting in Kansas and the Indian nation, and the
roving life has become a second nature."
" Endless retrospect !" cried Charley with uplifted hands
to Mr. Erie. " Since early boyhood ! And he twenty !"
Ruthven frowned warningly upon the scoffer of eighteen.
And while Harry Thorne, somewhat disconcerted by this
running commentary, continued to tell Fadette how he
trusted again to go up to Missouri when the leaves should
come out, and scare up the whole country at the head of the
bushwhackers whom he would recruit there, Kuthven said :
"You are unjust. Miss Charley. That is really a most
gallant young fellow. And last spring he was beginning
greatly to admire you, when you took this tone T\4th him."
RANDOLPH HONOR. 151
A smile just curled Miss Charley's red lips. It came
with the remembrance of an episode in last spring's his-
tory, of an eloquent letter penned at the close of Harry
Thome's month's visit in the county, and of its answer, in
due form :
"Mr. Thorne,
I remain,
Charley Goodfellow."
She said carelessly :
"What matter? He will do himself full justice. Has
he belittled Jack the Giant-killer, or not ? Bushwhacking
against regular service, indeed ! These independents, look-
ing down on their own footprints on the sand, don't see
the way carved on the rocks above. And whatever has
been said or sung of 'footprints in the sand,' every one
knows that the first wave washes them away. So it is as
well to aid in hewing the rocky highway, though it keeps
no dint of passing feet. You are laughing ? You think I — "
But the carriage interrupted.
Young Thorne claimed Fadette, nor relented for all Mr.
Erie's asseverations that the bay was more than he could
manage — that he shuddered before the perils of the home-
ward ride.
" The consequences of being in such hot haste to step
into a friend's boots. Retributive justice, I see it sticking
out a foot," cried Harry Thorne, waving his cap tri-
umphantly as he assisted Fadette into the buggy.
CHAPTER XIII
EYEXIXG AT
" Conversation between friends is just like walking thro' a mountainons kintra —
at every glen-month the wun" blaws frae a diflferent airt — noo heather-bank, noo a
gruesome quagmire."
EtTKICK SHEPfiERD.
lOUSIX, cousin, they done come !" cried the little
Janet, dancing on tiptoe, into Fadette's dressing-
room, as that damsel stood surveying herself in
the Psyche-glass, adjusting her dark braids for the last
time, while her admiring maid held aloft the candelabrum,
with an occasional glance at her own dusky reflection.
" Who done come, sweet thing?" asked Fadette, turning,
and tossing the child in her arms.
" Oh, whole hea^) of people. Calling across the lake
now, and big flat gone over after them vdih Cousin Ru'.
Come down, coz, and see. ever so many flowers mamma
done put in the library. And a mighty heap of light, too !"
"All right, Irene?" Fadette asked, as her maid, with
connoisseur air, smoothed down the silken folds of her dress.
Then she left the room, clasping the tiny outstretched hand,
and followed down-stairs by Janet's small playmate and
protegee, who afterward hung about the hall, peeping in at
the doors, all expectancy to share in her mistress's play and
*' pretties."
" How perfectly beautiful !" exclaimed Fadette on enter-
ing the library, looking first at Amy and then at the flowers
which she was arranging upon the table, herself a fairer
BANDOLPII HOXOR. 153
blossom, in her white rosebud jirettiness and pale violet
dress.
Mr. Rutledge laid aside his paper, and came forward to
assist his daughter in placing the vase upon the mantel.
"Do you belong up there, too?" he asked, pretending
to lift her next.
She laughed, and glided behind Fadette.
" Here is our ornament," she said, putting her arm round
her cousin's waist.
"Come then, Chicora, here is your opportunity to be
looked up to."
" No, I thank you, Sir ; no lonely heights for me. I
might chance to follow Hans Andersen's china shepherdess,
who flung herself down — "
".To the level of the handsome w^ooden soldier w^ho fell
in love witli her," mischievously interrupted Amy.
"Wooden — head and all?" she inquired innocently.
Her uncle drew her to him, and said, with an intermingling
of seriousness —
" Head, heart, and all, you assume, and so use him for
target practice, eh ?"
She put up her hands deprecatingly, crying —
^''Mafoi! 'Cupid hath clapped him o' the shoulder, but
I'll. warrant him heart-whole.' "
" And I will warrant, since we wax classic, that
* H' had got a hurt
O' th' inside, of a deadlier sort' "
" Uncle Rutledge ! What, in half a dozen inter-
views ?"
" Of whom are you speaking, little one ?"
" Why, of Mr. Thorne, of course. Whom else ?"
He glanced at her, then quietly took a cigar from the
mantel, and proceeded to light it, saying that he would go
154 RAXDOLPH IIOXOR. *
down to the lake bank and see what our young delinquent
had done with the flat and its freight.
Fadette, as he went out, caught Amy by the waist, and
whirled with her round the room, humming the air to which
she kept time.
" Oh, what would I not give" — throwing herself giddily
into an easy-chair — " for a bona fide old-time ball ! Can
Uncle Wash play waltzes ? How many people are coming
to-night ? A dozen or two ? Do you know, I think it is
the most charming way in the world of visiting. I only
hope they will stay several days — we might have dancing
enough then. Do you think Wash knows any thing but
those everlasting quadrilles and reels, Amy ?"
" I dare say. But," she added, timidly, " if I were you,
I M'ould not waltz."
" Xot waltz ! Are you daft ? Why not ?"
" Only, people object — "
" Who are ' people ?' " Fadette asked, leaning forward
anxiously. "Does your mother — Uncle Rutledge? Be-
cause, if he — "
" Xo, no. Only people in general — Ruthven, for in-
stance," Amy interposed, hesitating and blushing,
" Is that all ?" Fadette sank back, relieved. " Why, my
dear child, you do not for a moment imagine I shall ask
his i^ermission ? Because you, good soul that you are, glide
along in his leading-strings, am I to forget to walk ? Be-
sides, methinks both you and I waltzed last night in this
very room with the identical Ruthven."
" But that is so diiferent !" remonstrated Amy. " Be-
sides, he does not himself think any thing of waltzing, only
of the way in which some people regard it."
Fadette shrugged her shoulders.
" There is the lion in the fairy-tale. Amy. If you
gang your ain gate, nor swerve because of its threatening
RANDOLPH HONOR. 155
aspect, you will be very apt to find it a growl-less
shadow."
"Ah, consiii mine," cried Amy, "wait only mitil some
one has a claim on your dancing ! Then we shall see inde-
pendence !"
" And did you not dance when you were engaged ?" Fa-
dette asked, quickly.
" That was so short a time — the war had already com-
menced, and there was no question of that."
" But — but — " Fadette said, desperately, the guilty color
surging to her brow — " when — before — "
She broke ofi", ashamed of her intention.
Amy's blushes were as vivid.
" We will not speak of that, please," she answered, gen-
tly. " Though not a year has passed, it is but a dream —
yet a somewhat painful one. We had both ' lightly turned
to thoughts of love,' and both had to learn the wide gulf
between fancy and feeling. That he first saw it, was
hardly a fault."
" But — " began Fadette, flushed and indignant.
Amy stopped her with a kiss.
" Hush," she said, meeting the abashed eyes with hers
of calm, clear, truthful blue— "No blows aimed at my kin-
dred, you Don Quixote. Vanity suffered from a scratch,
that is all. He really behaved well, save and except the
crime of falling in love out here. And w^ho would not ab-
solve him, having seen Miss Vaughan ?"
Fadette, still coloring hotly, hastened to resume with
forced gayety :
" Well, reve7ions d notre mouton — we won't demoralize
him — I, for one, will waltz with him no more."
" Oh ! and this his last evening !" began Amy, distressed.
" There ! there is the click of the front gate. Your pret-
tiest smile, ma bien-ai}7iee, for here are our guests."
156 RANDOLPH HOXOB.
"Amy," said Mrs. Rutledge, entering at this moment,
" go into your father's study, my child, and weigh out fif-
teen grains of quinine for Candace. Her hus'band is there
waiting for it."
" Is she much sick. Mamma ?" asked Amy, rising.
" Xot very. Xo fever when I was in the quarter, an
hour ago. Make the quinine into j^ills, Amy. Servants
are so bad about taking it !"
" Let me go. Aunt Janet. Indeed, I prefer making pills
to receiving people," cried Fadette, vanishing as- voices and
footsteps sounded upon the front gallery.
" So ! caught peeping !" said a voice behind Fadette,
when, half an hour later, she stood without upon the gal-
lery, reconnoitring through the window the scene in the
parlor, which she yet hesitated to enter alone.
She started.
" Why, where did you come from ?" she asked, on seeing
Mr. Erie.
" From no more mysterious retreat than yon dark corner
of the gallery, toward which you did not think fit to glance.
May I ask what your ladyship is doing here ?"
" Oh, I am so glad to see you, Mr. Erie ! You must go
with me into the parlor. I have been dreading it alone.
I scarcely know any one there."
" Is the bashful, then, your role to-night ?"
"A most uncomfortable one. Don't you think some in-
ventive genius should benevolently devote himself to a
patent for launching people into drawing-rooms ? I can
float on wave or calm of conversation with other small
craft, but as to getting there !"
" I'll launch you, then. For what harbor will you have
me steer?"
"Tell me first who are here. My ideas of Arkansas
RANDOLPn nONOB. 157
society are completely upset. I had taken one backwoods
bull as the criterion, but the backwoods, it seems, end here."
" Of course. Stay, there is a group you know— Miss
Vaughan and Charley Goodfellow, and * Bella, horrida
Bella !'"
" Is not Mr. Thorne come ?"
"Look again— next Amy's sofa. Shall we bear down
upon them ?"
" That would be an idea ! Let us go to Miss Charley
Goodfellow," she said.
She moved forward, and he gave her his arm. They
reached the hall-door— and passed it. He drew her on
silently.
" Well !" she exclaimed, after a short pause of astonish-
ment.
"What is the nse?" he asked, coolly continuing the
walk. " Who will miss us in ten minutes ? Xo, do not
loiter by the windows."
" Then are you furnished with a topic so engrossing that
it shall render me oblivious of them ?"
" Xot while you glance thus toward them, and let the
music creep in between my words. I am in dire fear lest,
if my topic interest not, you flit away."
Her eyes fell on the gleaming lake, and the island lying
darkly silent, the trees at the point throwing quivering
shadows half across.
" How strangely far thoughts journey with a word !" she
said. " I seemed to stand again, as I stood a year ago last
fall, upon the shores of a Swiss lake, an island thus on its
bosom. Only, there through the oaks the moon streamed
on a rudely painted wall which pictured a memory of Tell,
and a gray ruin gloomed from the island, down on sweet
Lake Lowerz. Thus, when my guardian spoke as you but
now, I cried : A legend, then— a legend !"
158 BAXDOLFH HOXOR.
" And you think Arkansas can furnish none ?"
" I do indeed, since the first settlers here are still middle-
aged. Tales, like wines, improve with age."
"Then mine shall be antediluvian. Will you let me
wander to a distance for its beginning, assured that I will
bring you safely here at last ? Listen, then — we'll put
Swiss tradition to the blush.
" You knoAV how, scores of centuries ago, over this world
pale faces call the new, the Great Spirit brooded with
outstretched golden wings, above his nest in the Red Quar-
py of the north. On a sudden, through the deep tranquil-
lity, in the glory which his wings shed on the earth, his
eagle glance descried the slippery folds of a mighty serpent
coiling toward the nest. The Great Spirit swooped down-
ward, and his talons wrenched away a fragment of the red
pipe-stone, and hurled it at the treacherous reptile. In the
crash, some pebbles fell away from the mass, and struck
the serpent's writhing tail, and rattled, as he would have
slunk away. From that moment he and his numerous pro-
geny have never glided toward their prey without that
warning rattle. But the mass of stone descended to the
cliff below, and in the fall, was shapen to the semblance of
the red-man. The Great Spirit beheld, and grieving that
he should stand there solitary, cast down another frag-
ment— thus man and woman stood together on the rock.
A glittering feather with that movement floated from his
wings, and woman and the sun were given to the earth
together. But the sun sank behind the distance, and the
Great Spirit winged his way so high within his nest of
clouds, that only through the meshes flashed those gleam-
ing plumes, in sparkles we call stars. And while the world
lay in midnight, the wily serpent crept again along the
cliff, and with revengeful fangs giiawed and gnawed the
feet of the two beings fastened there, and prostrated them
RANDOLPH HONOR 159
sifle by side. But in the moment that the smi arose and
touclied them with his vivifying rays, they rose up too, and
wandered hand in hand together.
" They reached the river's marge, and there, within the
glow upon the water, tossed a light canoe of birchen bark.
Within'it lay, as fair as any Indian Mandan maid, one with
gold hair streaming over her slight form, and blue eyes
fixed upon them, beckoning them on. Thus, for centuries,
this Spirit of the red-men's fortune led the tribes to and
fro along their great rivers, from time to time appearing to
them. But when contention rose upon the sacred ground
of the Red Quarry, where the Great Spirit had smoked the
.pipe of peace above the hunter-tribes, she paled and paled
away, and beckoned to her favored Mandans, guiding them
from the Ohio's shores, on and up the turbulent Missouri.
Then they never saw her more. She had heard afar the
white man's tread upon the hallowed spot the red-man first
profaned with blood, and as he trampled on that stone from
which the Great Spirit had created the red-man, and which
was therefore flesh of the Indian's flesh, thus trodden under
foot, she could foresee the fate of all those warrior-tribes in
years to come. So the light canoe turned back away, and
floated down the- stream again. Groups of hunters on the
blufts caught now and then the flash of her bright hair, the
gleam offier blue eyes, and would have followed, as of old.
But evermore she waved them back again, seeing with
prophetic vision how the pale-face race would press them
westward, from their ancient mounds and hunting-grounds.
" She reached the rushing current of the Mississippi.
Down she floated still, and here — aye, in this very lake —
was seen of mortal man for the last time.
" A wondrous while she had been drifting down, some-
times so slowly, that to know that she had moved at all,
one must have watched for years on years. But now at
160 RANDOLPH HONOR.
leimth, one moonlit niorlit like this, the strange bark entered
this cove, then but a bend in the great river. For the nar-
row fields which now divide the waters from the waters,
were then but gradually gaining ground.
"This lake was one vast gleaming crescent, when the
boat glided slowly along that island's further shor^. She
lay within it, motionless. The eyes which had guided like
the pilot-stars so long, were waning faint and dim, as if
their watch was over. The hand so long stretched out to
point the way, was lying listless at her side. The golden
hair was fading like the Indian's day. Yet still its radiance
outshone the moon, and as she passed the bank, flung a
glory on the ripples.
" Beneath the oaks cresting yonder point of the island,
lounged at rest a group of men. Sombreros shaded here a
bronzed French or Spanish countenance, and there a florid
Saxon. The singular haphazard air of the men's dress,
which yet was often rich, and sometimes splendid, had
much of incongruity with these wild solitudes. Against that
thorn-tree, glossy in the moonbeams, flashed a stand of car-
bines. And here Avas moored a richly-laden flatboat. AVho
its crew, or where, might not be known, but blood-stains
darkled oh the planks, and less than a seer, with knowledge
of these waters, would have cried: A part of Macon's ban-
ditti— who lay in wait for venturous craft bouiM to the
Gulf
" Meantime, the enchanted bark skimmed on. But that
golden gleam had touched the dreamful lids of one who
lay beneath the trees. Up he sprang, and with a shout
awoke the echoes. For far more beautiful than any dream,
she passed.
" He leaned out toward her, but she never turned to look
on him. And then while all his comrades started up to
watch, he struck out boldly into the waves in her wake.
RANDOLPH IIONOB. 161
" There — midway from the point — where that weird
bough up-chitches like a skeleton arm, he gained on the
canoe — was stretching forth to grasp —
" The fading eyes turned then. From out their depths
swept one last fire of vengeance on the usurpers of the red-
man's lands. It scathed him where he rose. A shriek
appalled the night. And down he sank, down, down — the
waters whelmed him fast — and of the ruthless bandit there
remained but 'that wild arm outstretched to clutch the
empty waves forevermore — that arm shrivelled and en-
chanted to the semblance of a blasted branch. On glided
the canoe, close by the shores of this fair chute, while the'
robbers stood there, horror-struck."
" Horror-struck ! I should think so ! You have made me
as much afraid of the moonbeams as of the dark," she cried,
with a playfully afiected shiver.
He laughed, and stopped before the window.
" Eeconnoitre, then," he rejoined, "and we will go in."
"Mr. Erie, what a lovely tableau !" Fadette cried, as her
glance wandered round the room.
His followed, to where, in the bow-wdndow oj^posite, sat
a very pretty girl blushingly listening to the low speech of
a very young soldier.
" You do not know her ?" he asked. " It is- Miss Eva
Leigh, twentieth cousin to her fiance^ in whom you have
doubtless recognized the younger brother of your Mr.
Thorne. Both brothers, beardless knights as they are, have
fairly won their spurs under our glorious Price. This one
was almost brought up in the family of his cousin, who is
also his guardian. You see a rare instance of boy and girl
attachment standing the test of separation. * Rather a short
test as yet, however."
While Fadette stood embarrassed, as if these last words
were spoken in direct reference to herself, the curtain
162 RANDOLPH HOXOR
shaflowing her ftice was drawn aside, and Miss Goodfellow
tnrned in merry indignation upon I^utliven Erie.
" Tliere, there," she cried ; " why sliould you take it for
granted every pumpkin's empty, because there's never a
seed in your head to rattle ? AVhen you do slip up on one
that is really mellowing in the sun, must you throw your
shadow over, and wonder what is gone with the sun-
shine ?"
Euthven laughed.
"You a believer in that sunshine. Miss Charley?" he
said.
" It is rather a new wi'inkle in me," she returned, care-
lessly throwing her arm over the back of her chair.
" And how came you ensconced here in this pussy-wants-
a-corner fashion ?" he inquired.
Charley held up to view a newspaper, then let it fall again
at her side.
" Ours miscarried this week," she said. " Ah, Mr. Erie,
that affair of Dranesville ! Should it not warn us that a
tallow-candle has been driven through heart of oak by put-
ting abundance of powder behind ? AVe need all our bark
to the fore, to keep off the bite of even beetles."
Euthven Erie threw down upon the window-seat the
cards he ha'd taken from it, idly shuffling them.
" It is a game," he said, in which clubs are trumps. Ours
are skilfully played, and if we hold not too few — "
" You do not fear, surely !"
" For ultimate freedom, never. But the hand in which I
figure as deuce of clubs, may possibly be j^layed out before
the game is ours."
" Mr. Erie, have you thought so from the first ?" cried
Fadette.
'' From the first. You are surprised ? You would not
RANDOLPH HONOR. 1 G3
have me stand still, well-preserved as ^Madame Lot, through
lookiiio' behind for flames which mio-ht follow?"
" No, no — eyes to the front !" cried Charley, while her
own, which had been roving from grou}) to group, returned
to jiim with a sparkle of humor. " Only see — a desperate
flirtation, is it not ? Miss Arabella is in the midst of a de-
tailed account of the battle of Oak Hill, to Harry Thorne,
who "was in it."
Fadette caught Mr. Thome's quizzical appeal.
"Why does no one," she said, "make her see the ab-
surdity of those disquisitions ?"
Charley smiled, throwing herself back, and folding her
arms in manly fashion.
" No one has ever yet made spectacles for those born
blind," she rejoined.
"Miss Arabella," said Mr. Erie, "attends the auction-
rooms of everybody's mind, brings away for new some
worn-out idea — a stool minus a leg, perhaps — and having
thus crammed her OAvn narrow parlor, urges the invitation
of'the spider to the fly. And, in good sooth, you ne'er come
out again."
" Then don't let her trap yon. Miss Goodfellow, for w^e
are coming in to you this moment," besought fFadette, and
moved from the window.
" Cards ? Certainly I can find them," said Mrs. Rutledsfe,
w^hen her husband, wdth another whist-table in demand,
came to her as she stood for a moment in the doorw^av :
"but stay, Hugh — look there, did you ever see anything
like that?"
Mr. Rutledge followed her gesture to the bow-wdndow,
where near Miss Arabella sat Fadette, in converse with Mr.
Thorne. Ruthven Erie, in passing, had stopped and rested
164 RAXDOLPH nOXOR
his arm on the back of Fadctte's sofa, and she turned from
the one to the other with arch smile and merr^^ words, ap-
parently not without their sting of sarcasm, for Erie's color
rose slightly even as he laughed.
" As arrant a little flirt as ever made a plaything of a
heart," Mr. Rutledge said, looking on with an almost smile
of satisfaction.
"Since you judge so," she rejoined rather sharply, "what
do you think she purposes to do with those two ? Fling
them aside for a later toy ?"
Mr. Rutledge wheeled round, whistling low.
" What, nepotism in a nineteenth century materfamilias !
Rely upon it, my Janet, our fairy is very far from giving a
thought to ends, or ways either. She smiles because she is
gay, not because she has white teeth and a dimple. She
jibes because her gayety will out, not because it will out
in laughter-moving words. At all events, you need not
fear for Erie. He sees what he is about, and will never
sufier himself to be hoodwinked. She has not the faintest
suspicion of his feelmg — if indeed it have existence out of
your imagination, which oftentimes I doubt. Watch him
now, he has piqued her into reverting to young Thorne, and
himself saunt>ers off with the most j^erfect nonchalance to
Miss Yaughan."
" He is no fool, that is one consolation," she returned,
mollified.
" And she no fool-catcher. I read a lecture in your eyes :
deliver it, and you open hers to her game. She were no
girl if she laid no snare, then."
"Truth does people good, Hugh."
" Sometimes. But it would not be at the bottom of the
well if intended for every-day consumption. Xot so jjalat-
able as the upper current brimming over for passers-by.
Causes wry faces, unless very much adulterated."
RANDOLPH HONOR. 165
She smiled. " You once said you married me for it "
"Aye—
" * Keek into the draw-well, Janet, Janet,
And ye'll see your bonn}^ sell,
^^y jo, Janet.' "
" Ding, dong ! Ding, dong ! Won't this one plantation
belle entirely fill Beauregard's requisition for bell-metal?
To a dead certainty it would silence the enemy's batteries.
If they did not cave in, they are made of stern stuff indeed.
In pity, let us have a change of tune. Will you not sing?"
This was Mr. Thome's aside to Fadette, during a hiatus
in Miss Grahame's conversation.
Fadette slightly shook her head, drawing down the cor-
ners of her mouth until they became expressive of the most
despairing despair. But as, at that moment, Mr. Rutledge
pityingly drew near, inviting the belle to a hand at euchre,
Fadette rose at Mr. Thome's renewed request, and took her
place at the piano.
" Choose for me, Mr. Thorne," she said.
" That is diificult. I have one pre-eminent favorite as to
air, but the words are barbarous."
" And that is — ?" she questioned.
"The Virginia Rosebud."
She paused a little.
"Ah," she said, with slightly heightened color, "I see
our tastes are similar. The words are as you say. But a
friend wrote others for me, which, not remarkable in them-
selves,*render the air available. If they are lugubrious,
you deserve that for having so nearly forced me into mal d
propos laughter. But there should be a national hymn to
this. Is it not glorious in its full-toned variety ?"
And she began :
November winds through darksome pines are sweeping,
That stand up sternly o'er the mountains bleak—
166 RA2sD0LPH UOyOR.
November clouds in sullen gusts are weeping —
The dying year wails out her lone death-shriek :
The stars no longer watch above are keeping,
But watch-fires flicker in yon glen below :
'Neath Heaven's tent our weaiy boys are sleeping,
While some keep vigil in the drifting snow.
Glad thoughts, sad thoughts, they come and fle© away
Around those fires, ere dawns the battle-day.
Far voices of loved ones are whispering near ;
Soft eyes, soft ej-es are smiling, through the night — through the
chilly midnight drear.
Dreams — dreams — dreams — on the blast ;
Hopes — hopes — hopes — flitting ftist.
All brightly Glorj-'s visions throng.
And Freedom's shout resoundeth strong
Above the deepening tempest-shocks.
In lingering echoes of the rocks :
To arms I — To anns ! — To arms for Libert^^ !
All hushed in camp — except, as time is wealing,
Is given the challenge low, or countersign :
Anon, where redly are the fires flaring.
The guard, relieved, is marching in a line.
The snow-drifts whitely in the glen are lying —
Yon lurid pine-tree flames athwart the sky :
To-morrow, ere the twilight faint is dying,
Shall silent coi-ses there so ghastly lie.
Red flames, red gore, shall flood that valley white.
Around those fires, ere falls the battle-night.
Low moans of the wounded shall wail on the ah* —
Quick gasps, quick gasps and deathly — broken words — broken
words of death-taught prayer. •
Death — death — death — on the blast ;
Souls — souls — souls — flitting fast.
Yet Freedom, though in tears she stands,
Still stretches forth unfettered hands,
And clear alarum sounds on high,
For freemen, on to do or die ! —
To arms ! — To arms I — To arms for Liberty !
RANDOLPH HONOR 167
"Where did your eousin learn that song, Amy?" was
asked, as the clear, mellow tones died away.
" The tune is an old negro melody, the ' Virginia Rose-
bud.' The words are her own."
" Her own ? — seriously. Amy ?"
" Seriously. Is it possible that you, with your keen sight
and your horror of the has hleu^ should never once have
caught a glimpse of it, beneath the modishly long robe? I
shall tell her."
" Xo, you will not. Is this all she has perpetrated ?"
" Fie, Ruthven ! What would you give for a peep into
her portfolio ? Xay, you would have to steal it, or enforce
it as I did. A novel — "
" Entitled, The Lonely Heart, or The Sorrows of a Young
Governess," Mr. Erie teasingly suggested.
"Nonsense. There are bemoanings, certainly, but the
young governess is replaced by a Scottish waif in Switzer-
land. You know they are not untrodden ways to her,
those that wind beside the mountain lakes. The hero — "
" Aye, the hero — what is his style ?"
Erie was thinking of Heine's assertion; "When they
write, they have always one eye on the paper 'and another
on a man ; and this is true of all authoresses, except the
Countess Hahn Hahn, who has only one eye."
Therefore, as Fadette indubitably possessed two, and
those of the brightest. Amy's answer was disconcerting :
"His style? Well — like the generality — perhaps her
guardian — nearly his age, I should suppose. But stay,
where are you going ? Remember, all this is a secret in-
violable. I had no right to tell even you."
Moodily he was standing apart in the doorway, half an
hour later, when Fadette, whom he had scarcely ceased to
watch, passed by. And as no vestige of the has hleu was
168 RANDOLPH UOXOR.
to be descried, he asked her to walk with him upon the
gallery.
She took his arm as they fell in behind the few already
promenading there. For a moment neither spoke, until he
broke the silence with a remark upon the beauty of the
night.
The stars, so large and full, so steadily luminous in the
clear Southern atmosj^here, threw a dozen gleaming bridges
lialf across the lake. One, far out-shining all the others, so
spanned the waters with redly golden beams, that her
thoughts wandered across it to waves she had seen glint-
ing thus before — to other oaks which fringed their distant
shore — to red-gold lights from vessels passing there. Thence
transit was rapid to her guardian.
'" Do they see the stars in prison, Mr. Erie ?" she asked.
He smiled, replying —
"Rather an indefinite question. Sometimes, if 'they'
seek them through the bars. I could." .
" You ? Were you ever in prison ?"
His assent came slowly and hesitatingly.
" When ? Where ?" was the eager inquiry.
" ' Since yestreen, captive to thy conquering eyes,' " he
promptly quoted.
She drooped the " conquering eyes," vexed.
" Pshaw ! how provoking you are ! I never can tell what
you mean."
"Devoutly thankful," was the mental rejoinder. And
he added, aloud —
"Xor I what you mean. Do you wish to establish a
courier line of meteors between yourself and some pris-
oner ?"
She did not reply, only saying, after a pause —
" Look at that tiny star-spark. Could you be content
with such insignificance among so many greater ?"
RANDOLPH HONOR. 109
" Such is my fate, however."
She turned, for there was unwonted earnestness in his
tone.
" I do not think so, Mr. Erie. There is nothing little
about you," she answered, warmly.
" Granted, for myself," he mocked ; " but my sphere ?"
" Why should you not rise as high as any there ?" And
she raised her hand toward the glittering heavens.
" To have one day inscribed above me, * As he rose like a
rocket, he fell like the stick.' "
" Ah, Mr. Erie, the rocket only seems to rise to the stars.
The stars shine on forever, though clouds or distance hide
them."
" But, fair my Astrologer, are not your ideas of grandeur
somewhat vague ? What is ambition ? How may one rise
in your horizon ?"
" I know my thoughts are crude," she returned, blush-
ing; "therefore I give my faith in another's words." And
she repeated, hesitatingly :
" ' Whoso in life's task hath taken
Gloiy for a worthy goal,
Hath for a light dream forsaken
True magnificence of soul.
Think it then nor shame nor pity
That no crowds applaud thy name :
Strive on--saye the leaguered city,
Though another reap the fame.
So thy people reap the harvest,
LittleTecks who cast the seed:
Guerdon high as tliou deservest
Dwells in thine own holy deed.' " •
" You are right," he said, earnestly ; *' a man may not now
make pause to listen for applause or for censure. If the
8
IVO RAXDOLPJI HOXOR
cries and groans from the beleaguered city — if the watch-
word " ingemisco" wailed in midnight from her walls — if
the cloud which shrouds her, rent by flames that scale the
very heavens for redress — fill not his hearing, shut not out
all other goal than her salvation — then is his ambition the
poor rocket flaring up the skies, which, fallen, the press
shall trample back into the dust. ' Strive on — save the
leaguered city.' But remember, when the city shall be
free, and Ruthven Erie's mark hacked by an unknown
sword upon her broken chains — remember to-night, and
think not strange if one come to you for yet another inter-
pretation of the guerdon," he added, sinking his voice very
low. " Or" — and at the word, voice and manner changed
to careless badinage — " should I folloAV in the wake of the
reapers, gleaning here an ear and there a grain of the har-
vest I have neither reaped nor sown, is there no hope that
those bright eyes may overlook some earth-stain gathered
where those gleanings have by the reapers been cast aside
and trodden under foot ? The gleaners in this world are
more in number than the reapers, and their rejoicings noisier
over the spoils."
" Xow I see," she returned, good-humoredly, " you have
been laughing all this while. However, to my comfort be
it remembered, I have not advanced one original idea ; and
if laugh you must, it shall be at the philosophy of an
authority able to endure it. But a truce to ambition.
Beauty instead. Did you ever see any one so heavenly
beautiful as Miss Yaughan to-night ?"
" Heavenly — yes. A very bird of paradise. But some —
of the earth, earthy — ^might prefer the little earth-loving
partridge to this
" ' Creature /«/• too bright and good
For human nature's daily food.' "
RANDOLPH HONOR. 171
" That is because," Fadette returned, " the one soars far
beyond reach, while the other flatters the vanity of man by
forever calling on ' Bob White, Bob White !' "
" What boots it to spend life in laying traps for that
which never stoops low enough to be snared ?"
" Mr. Erie, you do not say that sincerely. The motto
of your sex is, ' She is a woman, therefore may be won.'
And besiegers are vigilant in detecting weakness in the
walls of defence."
" Nay ; but," he responded, " weakness is woman's forte,
within which she is safe."
" A better pun than safeguard," she made answer. " In
life, as in our game of chess last evening, when one can no
longer queen it, half the game is lost."
" And do you reck nothing of the knight ?" he asked.
" All, all, so long as he defends his queen."
" May I ask a very impertinent question ?"
" Provided you do not stipulate for an answer."
" The queen has two knights, of course. I claim to be
one. Has she chosen the other?"
The words were light, but the tone thrilled her as she
listened. She looked up quickly — to cast her eyes down
as rapidly, before the searching of his. But at that instant
Matoaca's low musical melancholy laugh was borne from
the further end of the gallery. Fadette's face changed,
and something of scorn curled her lip, as she replied :
" You must ask her. I cannot tell."
" I ask her now. Have you chosen the other ?"
" Oh, I ? Of course."
" And his name ? Is it Thorne ? Sandford ? Randolph ?
Has your guardian — "
She laughed merrily.
" Do you expect me to tell you that ?" she interrupted.
" It is but fair. How am I to cope in deeds of valor
1 7 2 BAXI) OLPR HOXOR.
with an unknown rival? At least, tell me it is not your
guardian I"
Were it not simply impossible, in view of Matoaca and
that fragment of conversation overheard on the night of
the ball, Fadette would have pronounced his tone even
painfully anxious in that last sentence. As it was, she
waxed wroth against his trifling. She said carelessly —
" One day, perhaps, I may reveal, on oath of secrecy."
" One day won't do," he returned, in her own manner.
" Remember, your knight goes forth to-morrow."
"The very thing," she cried; "I'll write a farewell letter
of instructions for the campaign."
He looked at her, but there was not the slightest expres-
sion of mocking in the iiplifted eyes, nor around the mouth,
so unusually tranquil.
" A letter of instructions," he returned, an air of indif-
ference covering his chagrin ; " on that couleur de rose
paper you keep — for sentimental purposes — still in your
desk, notwithstanding my remonstrances ?"
"But see, Mr. Erie, while I have been making this rash
promise, we are quite deserted out here. Is it very late ?
Every one seems to be saying good-night."
A moment more, and she was waiting on the stairs for
Charley, who lingered on the lower step s^^eaking to Ruth-
ven Erie. And as she waited, Harry Thorne left the group
at the door, and a'dvanced toward her.
She saw, and cast an impatient glance down upon Charley
and Ruthven. Xo sign there responsive to her haste. He
leaned with folded arms upon the balustrade, and listened
smilingly to Charley ; and Fadette, in desperation, deter-
mined to throw herself into the conversation, for Harry
Thorne now stood beneath the balustrade her hand was
tapping restlessly. A pause of irresolution would have
plunged her into a tete-d-tote with him. She caught a fur-
RANDOLPH HONOR. 173
tive crlinipse of liis uplifted flushed and eager face. An-
other instant, and words which he had spoken while she sat
at the piano — words which she had aft'ected to misunder-
stand—would have been repeated here. She gazed, all-en-
grossed, down upon the two controversialists, and, " going
it blind," as Charley might have said, she cried —
" Quite right. Miss Goodfellow. And what does Mr. Erie
say to that ?"
Charley turned, astonished and somewhat annoyed, for
she had thought her words inaudible except to Mr. Erie,
and those words were of Fadette. But she smiled good-
humoredly, perceiving ' that Fadette, although evidently
embarrassed, was not displeased.
But Ruthven Erie, initiated by his observation of her at
the piano, comprehended at once. And when Charley re-
ferred Fadette to him for an answer to her question, he
said, regarding her with an amused expression —
" AYhat does Mr. Erie say ? That you have stumbled in
breathless haste into an impenetrably dark cul-de-sac. How
do you propose to emerge ?"
Blushes and dimples deepened with her low reply :
" Can you not give me a clue out ?"
" A-ha, INIiss Charley," he said gayly, " eaves-droppers
never hear unmingled praises, do they ? Yet since no storm
of indignation whelms us, our compliments must have
atoned. What think you, Thorne ? Miss Charley affirms
that a certain young lady, although a bright ' inquire with-
in' maybe read in her eyes, yet keeps her heart fast barred
with ' no admittance !' "
Harry Thome's color heightened. He glanced up at
Fadette eagerly, and said, in a tone for her alone :
" ' The door was shut : I looked between
Its iron bars —
1V4 BAXDOLPH HO NOB.
"'I, peering through, said: Give me then
But one small twig from shrub or tree,
And bid my home remember me
Until I come to it again,' "
By no movement did she betray that she had heard him.
She said carelessly, still turned to Mr. Erie, as if in answer
to him:
" And not only barred, Mr, Erie, but it is written that —
" ' The spint was silent, but he took
Mortar and stone to build a wall :
He left no loop-hole great or small,
Through which my sti'aining — '
" or, more properly, through which my passing eyes might
look."
"Yet," said Charley merrily, "when the soldiers are
marching by, they think the last bar should be withdrawn,
every spirit at the gate, and joining in the chorus" — and
she hummed :
" ' If you belong to Gideon's band,
If you belong to Gideon's band.
Here's my heart, and here's my hand,
If you belong to Gideon's band.
Fighting for your home.'"
Harry Thome did not hear. He was speaking to Fadette.
" Is that my answer ?" he asked sadly.
But she could not have understood. She was all atten-
tion to Mr. Erie.
He began again, importunately —
" Don't leave me so ! You know I start at daylight for
the army. Give me a reply, if only yes or no !"
And still there came no sign.
" Good-night, gentlemen," now said Charley ; " and if
RANDOLPH HONOR. I75
you cannot altogether forget bars, dream of those golden
ones which are able to force open many gates."
" Yes or no ?" said Harry, desperately, as Fadette shook
hands and turned to go.
" Yes and no !" cried Charley. " Upon earth ! you don't
mean to doubt the weight of bars of promotion ?"
" Yes or no ?" groaned Thorne again, w4th one last eflbrt.
But Fadette had gained the landing.
*' Yes an'd no ! Yes and no !" cried Charley in supreme
disdain. " The stupid fellow ! Is that his yea-and-nay
good-bye, when he is going off to-morrow ? I've no pa-
tience ! Yet they say he is brave ; but that, I reckon, is
because ' he never did know his head from a broken tin-
pan.' Shucks !" she exclaimed, after a pause, " perhaps,
after all, he \vas saying, 'Yes, Zknow.' "
" Aye," Fadette made answer, ruefully ; " I am sure he
does know now."
CHAPTER XIV.
COXCEEXIXG BATTER-CAKES.
" Sic itur ad astra.''
pES. As you were saying, my dear young lady," stout
old Mr. Derby next morning at the breakfast-table
remarked to Fadette, between whom and the fried
ovsters he had been dividing his attentions with scrupulous
exactitude — " as you were saying, ' Chicora' — I believe it is
' Beauregard' now — is in du-e need of a mistress. All very
well for a young fellow of twenty-one or two to go roving
about the country, here, there, and everywhere ; but when
a man is verging on to thirty or so, he needs a home and a
young wife — ^the younger the better — the younger the
better." And the old gentleman — closing meanwhile with
the oyster, on which, elevated upon his fork, he had at every
sentence bestowed regards wistful enough to melt any heart
but an oyster's — turned for illustration toward his own
young wife. Inauspicious moment ! she, at the opposite
side of the table, was tossing her sunny curls, and shower-
ing her sunniest smiles upon Ruthven Erie.
Fadette was conscious of having said something quite
different in substance from the apparent quotation. But
she was also conscious that Mr. Erie had suddenly ceased
his conversation with his neighbor, and could scarcely be
so absorbed as to have heard nothing of Mr. Derby's v^'ords.
She therefore blushed crimson as she ventured furtively to
lift her eyes to note the impression produced upon him.
He had obviously not heard, was not besto^-iug his at-
HAND OLPU HONOR. 1 7 7
tention on her indeed, hut on the juvenile assistant-u aiter,
who, with a plate of smoking batter-cakes, stood at his
side, unmoved by a tlirice reiterated, " No, Tom ; no batter-
cakes."
" Confound you, are you deaf?" his master said at length,
half angrily, and for the first time turned full upon him.
It was at this instant that Fadette sent the inquiring look
across the table.
" Her', her', Mars' Ruthven." The boy, nothing discom-
fited, again advanced his waiter. And not this time in
vain, for there peeped from beneath it a folded corner of
pink paper. The boy's careful hands would desert neither
end of his weio^htier charo^e, and the batter-cakes had hid-
den the note.
As Ruthven Erie took careless possession, his glance en-
countered Fadette's. She Avas still blushing from Mr.
Derby's words, and her color deepened yet more when she
met that glance. Casual at first, it changed to a gaze of
inquiry and surprise, seeking the interpretation of her evi-
dent confusion. At once, as her eyes fell upon the note, a
new idea seemed to flash upon him. And with a slight com-
pression of the lip, which might have been a smile, h.e quietly
transferred the couleur cle rose billet to — AYell, in these
prosaic days even love-letters are deposited in pockets.
Fadette retired hastily behind her cofiee-cup — to laugh —
to smother that laughter by mouthfuls of the scalding
liquid which eflectually brought tears to her lashes and
blushes still to her cheeks — and to conjecture. That Ruth-
ven Erie assumed the dainty missive to be her own prom-
ised letter of instructions, moved thereto by her embarrass-
ment, was clear. And equally clear that she was innocent
of it. But by whom and wherefore sent, were points less
lucid far. Could Amy — could Uncle Rutledge — any one —
have overheard last night's conversation, and made it the
8*
irS BANDOLPII TIOXOR.
subject of a practical joke ? And Tom's mysterious man-
ner— had he been instructed in that ?
Resolved on discovering the hidden enemy, she marked
searchingly the fiices round the table. One swift survey
convinced her that no one save herself had witnessed the
note-presentation scene. Mr. Rutledge had pushed aside
his cup, and resting his arm on the table, was engaged in
a lively skirmish with Charley Goodfellow. Amy listened
with a faint, absent smile, to the discourse of her neighbor.
And of the serenely dignified matron presiding so grace-
fully over the coffee-urn, one could, of course, entertain no
suspicion.
When all rose from the table, Fadette lingered. And as
Tom and she were now for a moment left sole denizens of
the breakfast parlor, she summoned him from the buffet^
to which he was removing the silver.
" Tom," she asked, " who gave you that note ?"
"Ma'am — note — " he repeated, unmeaningly, twisting
the corner of his apron in perplexity, and staring with wide-
open round blank eyes.
" Come, come, Tom — a whole shining gold dollar if
you'll remember," Fadette said, with an impatient tap of
her foot.
"Whether or not the promised dollar imparted a ray of its
own brightness to the young African's head, he suddenly
seemed to brighten, saying —
" Oh, ya'p'm — I knows. Xote I fotch Mars' Ruthven, I
'spects. Uncle Jake guv it me. Waitin' in Mammy house
for answer."
" And who is Uncle Jake ?"
" One o' Judge Brown's black people. He Mistis done
heerd Mars' Ruthven gwine acrost de river, an' sont de note,
so Uncle Jake he say, 'bout her old man what over dar in
de armv. Y' ain't gwine to forgit de dollar, is you now ?"
RANDOLPH HONOR 179
he added, pulling his forelock with a most insinuating dis-
play of the ivories.
" No, indeed, Tom, not I. It shall be forthcoming this
very day. Now, if only he have not opened the note !
Spirit of Fun forefend !" And she hastened from the room.
That merry curl of the lip had to be smoothed out into
becoming gravity, ere, lingering at the door of the library,
she could trust herself to open and enter.
There he stood, leaning upon the mantel, listening with
politely repressed imjmtience to little Mrs. Derby's lively
sallies of nonsense, as she smiled up from her low ottomaii,
coquettishly shaking those curls at him. If " beauty draws
us with a single hair," how many an unfortunate must have
been entangled by those bright meshes ! And how many
more is she bent upon entangling ? Who can number the
hairs of a head ?
" Mr. Erie."
The fingers restlessly yet noiselessly tapping the marble
of the mantel, stayed ; the right hand dropped slowly from
its careless closing above that pocketed note, as he turned
to meet the voice.
What a demure rose-bud mouth that was, speaking his
name so softly. The upturned glance was simplicity itself,
and the fairy hands were folded together so tranquill}-.
Yet how had they learned that unwonted quiescence ? He,
looking down, knew that it boded ill.
" Mr. Erie, the boy is waiting for an answer," the demure
mouth said again.
"What boy? what answer?" he asked, completely mys-
tified.
"Mrs. Brown's servant. You received her note this
morning, did you not?" And Fadette could not repress
the mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
His met them fully and searchingly. Then he delib-
1 so RAyDOLPU HOXOR.
erately drew forth the rose-colored note, unfolded, and
read it.
" I thank you," he said, quietly regarding her ; " I will
write my answer."
He was gone. And, after all, the Spirit of Fun seemed
to have kept aloof from the matter altogether. Fadette
sank down disconcerted in the deep-cushioned seat of the
bow-window. Was he angry ? and going away in an hour !
Perhaps he would not even say good-bye ! Well, what
difference ? And she raised her head defiantly.
Going away in an hour. It had passed as she sat there
still, the rounded chin resting in the soft palm — the hot
blood burning cheek and brow. She sat there still, taj)-
ping with restless foot the crushed roses, down upon
which swept those curtains veiling her. Still, thinking
distinctly of nothing, with the consciousness of a fast beat-
ing heart and a choking sensation in the throat, and a
vague wondering whether, after all, he would not seek
her ; whether — no, she would never advance one inch.
A quick, firm step re-entering the library, and a voice
she knew, exchanging kindly fiirewells. A silence follow-
ing. And then —
Xo, he was not gone. The curtains were thrust aside,
and he stood between them.
She rose, as she yielded her hand to his firm grasp. Her
down-dropt lashes quivered, and there was a deep flush on
her cheek. But the curtains threw a crimson glow there,
and Ruthven Erie had learned to distrust blushes.
"Mrs. Brown's note," he said, extending toward her a
folded paper, " seemed to require yet another answer. Shall
I request you to take charge of this?".
She raised her eyes in timid inquiry, then as suddenly
dropped them. And this time — yes, she certainly did
blush.
RANDOLPH HONOR. ]81
His color, too, heightened, as he looked down upon her
thus, and his grasp of the fluttering hands tightened. But
he dropped them and suppressed a heavy sigh, as he left
her abruptly.
He paused long on the gallery. Fadette could hear his
lowered tones in earnest speech with some soft woman-
voice, too low for recognition.
His arm thrown across Captain Sandford's shoulder, he
walked leisurely to the gate, where old Washington waited,
proudly stroking, as he restrained, the restive mettled
chestnut. There, it being a Saturday holiday, quite a knot
of servants Avere assembled to say good-bye. Fadette
watched the courtesying and bowing, redoubled when he
shook hands — not empty-handed, it might seem.
As he sprang into the saddle, he removed his hat,
waving it toward the house. How noble and gallant !
she thought, while he galloped by, lowering his proud head
beneath the rose-vine trailing from the barren oak beside
the gate. Swiftly brushed by, petals white as snow-flakes
showered on the gray uniform and the black sombrero with
its waving plume. And with another bound, that plume
had waved its last amoncj the clusterino^ bouo-hs of "Beau-
regard."
Fadette waited in the window, pressing her burning
brow against the cool pane. And while she watched, Ma-
toaca, also watching, with face averted from her, passed
slowly by on the gallery.
Unceremoniously, Fadette escaped to her room with the
note she felt to be hers. She bent long over the paper
which she drew from the unsealed envelope, before she
crumpled it up and tossed it into her desk. Then she rose
and walked the floor with an air half of anger, half of mor-
tification, yet laughing in spite of herself, as she exclaimed :
" So ! He did not care after all ! Xot quite so safe to
182 RAyDOLPU UOXOR.
play with edge-tools with him, as with Lionel or Harry
Thorne, whom a smile disarms. The joke is rather against
me, I fancy."
The crumpled paper was a pen-and-ink caricature of that
scene at the breakfast-table. Fadette's shoulders were
toward the beholder, so that a full view might be taken
of Ruthven Erie himself opposite. A preternaturally di-
minutiA'e young Cuffee, grinning significantly, nudged him
with a salver of exaggerated batter-cakes and wondrously
small note, upon which one of Ruthven's hands had closed
with eager clutch. The other hand, uplifted, pointed
toward a yawning gap in the ceiling, on which his eyes
were fixed with a well-portrayed stare of delight, while
his smiling mouth framed the words, " Sic itur ad astral
CHAPTER XV.
WILLOW LAKE.
"A horror lived abont the tarn, and clave
Like its own mists—"
Elaine.
HE sun is already sinking behind the dense level
of woodland which belts the horizon upon either
hand, as Fadette and her ancient sable equerry-
ride on beside the cypresses skirting Willow Lake. The
Avaters lie sombre in their moss-darkened shadoAV, but the
heavens brighten moment by moment, richer in crimson
and gold an hour later than at sunset-tide. And the east
floats tloud-canopies as gorgeous as ever the chosen west
prepares for the reception of the day-god. The rushing
wings and the twittering of homeward-bound birds, die
away in distance. From hidden banks of boggy bayous
begins the long-reverberating chant of the " swamp angels ;"
while from every budding tree and shrub rise insect cho-
ruses more or less sonorous. The breeze rustles faintly
over deserted stubble-fields plentiful in crops of bushy
cockle-burrs. Through silvery plumes of sedge, uprise
the rosy glowing boughs of red-bud; and below, wild
chamomile and daisies, and purple and white-fringed clus-
ters, float on the billowy sea of russet-brown and yellowed
weeds and grasses, just beginning here and there to shine
a brighter green in the light of spring. Here the ever-
green canes raise their light shafts high among the trees,
from loftiest boughs of which wild grape-vines fling down
184 RAXBOLPII HONOR.
tendrils, and the trumpet-flower waves in scarlet glory.
Stealing subtly through the misty gathering forest-damps,
ascends the faint odorous breath of forest solitudes. Afar
from the pasture resound the tinklings of bells, the lowing
of kine at the milking, the echoing call of the stock-minder.
Yet despite these home-sounds there pervades a stillness
through the gloaming, but intensified by such reminiscences
of busy day.
It irks Fadette, who would defy sadness. But her jaded
horse, the best of whose days are far spent, refuses to take
the hint of whip and bridle, and plods on for the remaining
half-mile.
Then the shades deepen, the waters darken. Silence
sinks into stiller slumber within the charmed circle of
Sleepy Hollow. The aspen-leafed cotton-wood shivers and
tosses as in troubled dreams, and flings faint moonlit smiles
upon its double, sleeping on the grass. The oaks gloom
against the cottage-walls, but lights shine cheerily forth
when Fadette rides up to the gallery.
Late into the night sat the two girls in Mataoca's cham-
ber. Fadette lounged half buried in the soft cushions
of a " lesser Sleepy Hollow," while she loosed the glossy
purple-black braids of her hair, removing "Confederate
times" hair-pins, home-manufactured from Beauregard's
bristling thorn-trees, and gayly ornamented with sealing-
wax heads.
The two girls were now friends of a year's standing.
Much of that space had lapsed in profound quiet, its only
events an occasional letter, usually months old, from Ruth-
ven Erie or Mr. Weir, and a paper of as ancient date, given
by some wounded soldier travelling from beyond the Mis-
sissippi toward his home, and considered a full recompense
for hospitality extended. The all-powerful b/Oiid of a com-
BANDOLPII IIONOE. 185
mon cause pulled down all Ijarriers of social distinctions,
and every veteran was an eagerly-welcomed guest.
With the last six months had come a change. Even be-
fore the fall of Yicksburg, these long-quiet shores had been
harassed by frequent raids. But the w^orst was not yet.
These once so wealthy lands w^el^-e to be made a wilderness
by passing troops, and by the marine fleet, whose god was
[Mercury, and who, like true thermometers, ascended and
descended with the state of the temperature — made some-
times hot by Confederate batteries. Lat?er, peaceful man-
sions were shelled in retaliation of Confederate guns, a
mile or more above ; flags of truce ignored, for the purpose
of wrapping a village in flames; hospital-flags used in
steaming past Confederate batteries ; from " unarmed trans-
ports" soldiers amused themselves by firing on old men,
and even women, standing on their own thresholds. The
foe could not quite, how^ever, claim the land for his own.
Vain was Admiral Porter's manifesto, left by the gunboats
at divers landings, threatening that —
" Persons taken in the act of firing on unarmed vessels
from the land, will be treated as highwaymen and assassins,
and no quarter will be shown them.
" Persons strongly suspected of firing on unarmed vessels,
will not receive the usual treatment of prisoners of war,
but will be kept in close confinement. If this savage and
barbarous Confederate custom cannot be put a stop to, we
will try what virtue there is in hanging."
Vain — for Confederates still dashed in to the river — bra-
vadoed gunboats to strike the blanket target they them-
selves held up on the levee — made raids on the captured
islands and cut-ofl*s, carrying war into Africa there with
such a vengeance, that three or four of their number were
known to bring to grief the hundred American citizens of
African descent located as armed and belligerent wood-
186 RAKDOLPU HONOR.
choppers — and defied those American citizens' white
l^rothers-in-arms, riding before them, sometimes five to fil'ty,
forcing the fifty to halt, " change base," and make detours^
at the good pleasure of the five.
A great change had in the last weeks befallen Beaure-
gard. Mr. Rutledge occu|5ied a prison-cell in St. Louis.
In the hope of procuring a few mules, sole rescuers from
imminent famine, he had crossed the Mississippi^ and was
returning, when, as he neared the shore, a transport steamed
down upon his skiif. The soldiers on board hailed, but in
one instant, before Mr. Rutledge could stay his oarsman,
who was stone-deaf, a volley of musketry intervened, and
the old man fell back, dead. Mr. Rutledge was removed,
a prisoner, after his captors had rifled the body. Harry
Thorne, who, just as all was over, had ridden out upon the
bank, on a wild-goose chase after " Uncle Sam's web-feet,"
borrowed a citizen's coat, and went daringly on board, as
if drawn by curiosity. He found the clerk a Missouri
townsman and secret " copperhead," and dej)ositing his all
of money for the prisoner's use, received a promise of in-
telligence concerning his fate.
" Put out the light, Matoaca," Fadette suggested ; " see,
even your nonpareil mould-candle but neutralizes the
moon."
Matoaca obeyed, seating herself at the window beside
her friend.
" I confess I am delighted Miss Arabella is away," Fa-
dette began, after a long silence ; " I would have you all to
myself for my last visit to Sleepy Hollow. Yes" — as
Matoaca raised her head hastily — " Aunt Janet is strongly
urged to remove, with all able-bodied servants, to Little
Rock. Mr. Leigh, and other neighbors, who have proven
themselves such in the full sense of the word, oifer to watch
over the few negroes who might remain behind, and with
RANDOLPH HONOR. 187
whom would be mules sufficient to raise their own crops.
That last raid thinned our ploughs to starvation. Of course
there will be little or no corn to buy, while so many planta-
tions are deserted, and none worked as of old. The ser-
vants Avill be provided for — hired out, as Mr. Erie's already
are, at the salt-works. And as our gold and silver mine at
Beauregard has never yet been dug up, we can provide for
ourselves when once beyond reach of raids. Aunt Janet
is so apathetic, that she is quite likely to assent to any ar-
rangement friends may make for her. So different," she
added, sighing, " from her old self, that it is difficult to
recognize in her the motive power which was wont to guide
all Beauregard, and, through her loving influence, my uncle.
True, she leaves no duty unaccomplished ; superintends
loom, and spinning-wheel, and dairy, and has even taken
upon her to visit the field twice daily, as Ave have no over-
seer; and if we should remain, it is a question of corn-crop
or starvation. But she goes through all as by mechanism.
Since through Mr. Thorne we have been confirmed in our
fear that my uncle is in that St. Louis prison for no short
stay, day by day she has grown more like death in life. I
am frightened when I look into her still set face, and I
think any change may be for the better — nothing can be
worse. Then, too, Harry Thorne urges the move, and Aunt
Janet will be guided implicitly by him. It is beautiful to
see his devotion, and to him alone she almost softens. She
gave him a faint smile yesterday, which Avould have gone
to your very heart."
" Yesterday ? Is he in the county again ?"
" But just arrived, on a week's leave. What if we should
go out under his escort ? Oh, Matoaca, vrhy have I learned
you and loved you in this year?"
Matoaca only turned away her head. Pier lips formed
no words. But in the pallid moonbeams, those firm-set
188 nA:>DOLPii iioxon.
curves were all eloquent. As Fadette observed, a year
vanished away, and again she was was seated, witlidrawn
from the gay confusion of the dance, in a window opening
out upon a gallery where two were passing by in earnest
conversation. She saw again that mournful pallor, the
drooping of the proud dark eyes, the mouth fixed in reso-
lute sorrowful endurance. And she heard in those steady
tones —
"What is past, is past. The far and near. I let all
go."
She rose up abruptly and moved away, staying before
the mirror where the moonlight broadened in a silver flood,
and combing out the dishevelled masses of wavy hair which
fell, a dark veil, over her gleaming dimpled shoulders.
She hummed, as she lost her small hands in the heavy
tresses, in a reckless defiance of thought, that was her own.
When suddenly Matoaca drevr back from the window, out
of which her gaze had wandered absently.
" Quick, come here," she said, with a hurried gesture ;
"look, child, over there toward the woods. Xo — no, not
that way — here, across that field along the lake. Do you
see—" '
Shadowed by budding forest-trees, the road shines white
throuo-h the lawn's broad freshenino- verdure, where at in-
tervals, darker than the other checkered shadows, the solid
gloom of a group of cedars sweeps to the ground. The
water-willows fringing the lake-shore stand apart in front,
to give place to the moonlit gleam of waters asleep among
the broad-leaved quivering water-lilies, where mists shift
and hover and drift across like vague fair dreams. Below,
through that gray oak-grove in the bend, a red liglit glim-
mers from the solitary quarter-cabin remaining after the
last raid. Above the homestead, sere, level, unfenced, un-
cultivated fields stretch broadlv from the lake to the level
RANDOLPH HONOR. 189
wooded horizon. And between those fields and. the watei*s
winds the road on to the dark forest, where —
" O Matoaca, can that be the gleam of bayonets ?"
Matoaca stood uj}.
"I — do not think they can be our soldiers," she said,
slowly. " Go you, quietly, and awake Mrs. Grahame, while
I call my uncle."
Swiftly but calmly she left the room, as Fadette sprang
forward and opened Mrs. Grahame's door.
In a moment, the household was assembled. They
paused, debating in the open hall, where the moonlight
streamed with weird flickering shadows of the cottonwood
soughing through every lingering dry gray leaf against
the front gallery. Tranquil and clear and deeply blue
were the night-heavens, where stars in the southern atmos-
phere shone down with a full calm glory, soft and steady
as the moonlight. Here on the sofa, beside the dining-
room door, lay Matoaca's book, ojDcn Avhere she had that
morning thrown it down. Opposite, above the door of the
parlor, hung Mr. Grahame's shot-gun; and on the table
near by, Matoaca's work-basket, with the bundle of bleached
palmetto-strips and the half-finished hat, told of her deft
industrious fingers. Two hours ago all had been thus
peaceful ; and now —
They looked into each others' white still faces^ and their
hearts stood still within them. Fearfully present was every
scene — and those scenes were not few — of which they had
heard of midnight terrors. As the fold hopes from the
wolf, so hoped they from those midnight marauders, whose
steady tramp among the dry rustling grasses, upon the
fallen wintry leaves, their straining hearing brought each
instant near and nearer, until the startled senses almost
felt the rude grasp on the shoulder, the heavy, hard, relent-
less, murderous breath, the paralyzed hopelessness where-
190 RAyDOLPH HOXOR,
Avith in evil dreams Fate chains us fast. Fadette shook off
that deadening despair, clenching her slight hands in the
effort at self-control, until the blazing diamonds, now so
valueless, bruised deep the tender flesh. But Mrs. Gra-
hame still drooped, gazing vacantly upon her clinging chil-
dren, who, thus roused from slumber, were hushed and
awestruck in the moonlight and the quiet, and hi the pres-
ence of those awed faces.
It was but an instant they awaited thus. Yn: Grahame
had grasped his gun, and now, in his quick, excitable
manner, stepped forward in front of the group; but
Matoaca, calm as death, laid a light touch on his arm.
" That must be at the last extremity, dear uncle. ' He
that rinneth awaie,' you know. You said this morning
YOU had not half a dozen loads."
" My pistol — " began Fadette.
" And even if we had arms enough and to spare, they
could smoke us out of this old house in ten minutes. Xo ;
we must take refuge in the woods. Quick !" She spoke to
Mrs. Grahame, who still stood white and motionless, but
looked up with a piteous gaze in those loving hazel eyes,
when Matoaca lifted one of the plump twins into her own
strong arms. " Xay, dear," Matoaca said, soothingly, " I
will but keep our darling for you. You cannot care for
three. Go with her," she added to Fadette, around whose
shoulders now clung another little one ; " lead her, she does
not hear what I say. Fly ! But be cautious until you are
across the lawn ; avoid the moonlight. Make for the t\ il-
low thicket by the lake. Go."
"And you?"
"My uncle and I follow. Too many must not be
together. Besides, we must make some semblance of
securing the house, to gain time. Quick !"
RANDOLPH HONOR. 191
Fadette pressed the child to her, and passed her arm
round Mrs. Grahame.
" Come," she whispered ; " your children follow me."
Blindly, led by that one word grasping her mother-
instinct, the poor, dazed woman obeyed the guiding arm.
One instant, and, keeping within the shadow of the trees,
they had gained a dense clump of cedars, the branches of
which swept the ground, impenetrably dark. In this tem-
porary security they crouched, for voices and the tread of
armed men now drew nearer.
The infant slept, hushed upon the mother's breast. The
little girl clung to the mother's hand, too awed to question
or complain, though night-dews fell damp upon her one
light garment. Fadette wrapped her own shawl over the
shivering shoulders. So cold — and yet how colder far the
grave ! How frail the barrier, those cedar boughs ! — bar-
ring back what fate ?
What fate ? She shuddered and clenched her hands
together, for a sharp report, and a wild shriek from the
house, rang out on the heavy midnight air in answer to
her question.
Matoaca ? — The old man ? — She parted the branches
where she knelt. And as she knelt, before she dared to lift
her eyes, she gasped out in choked utterance, lower than
the moaning through those branches, one word in which is
all prayer, one wild cry on the God of Hosts. She looked.
Xo one near. Yonder, far across the lawn, before the
house, a knot of men gathered round some object on the
grass. Now, with the glitter of the moonlight on his
bayonet, one stooj^, examining it. Another kicks it
brutally aside with a shouted curse. And all move on to
the house, where the crashing of doors soon tells their
errand, and the detention that comes too late — too late.
192 RASDOLPH HOXOR.
Although the moonbeams rest upon it, she cannot discern
its form. The trees cast wavering shadows there, and dis-
tance confuses the outline. She can bear this no longer.
The shrubbery is thick and overgrown. The moon passes
under a cloud ; it is black and broad, as she glances up to
see. Xow is her time.
She stoops, and lays a touch on Mrs. Grahame's shoulder.
As the ghastly face is raised to hers, she whispers hurriedly,
*' Stay here, dear, until I return. Do not move ; do not let
Lily move. Fear not, you are safe here, quite safe. In
one moment I will be back. Xo, no, Lily," and she gently
looses the child's hold of her dress. " Bu'die -^-ill give you
a mighty lump of white sugar — yes, two of them, one for
each hand — if you only stay here by mamma's side, quite
still, like a wee mouse."
She marvelled how she could speak thus calmly, while
every pulse so throbbed.
Swift as the wind, and as unseen, she fled from bush to
bush, from tree to tree. There it lay at her feet.
She dared not look at first, but bowed her head against
the huge gnarled trunk behind which she stood concealed.
Then she leaned forward tremblingly.
Ghastly white as the moonbeam on his brow — rigid as the
outline of that craunt Cottonwood beside him on the orrass —
still as the dead leaves beneath him — lay Mr. Grahame.
And on those leaves there trickled and fell, drop by drop,
a pool of blood.
TVas this death ?
The wide-open light gray eyes, once so keen and restless,
stared dully up into the cloudless midnight skies, and only
seemed to flicker from that stare when the scant gray
foliage of the tree above stirred and shifted and rattled
harshly. The fixed white lips moved no more with their
wonted quick decisiveness. The wrinkled hands had lost
llAyDOLPII HONOn. 193
that hurried nervousness of hold, and stiffened, clutching
tight across the moveless breast the useless shot-gun,
flashing in the moonlight.
The strange rigidity appalled Fadette. She shook in
every limb. And moaning, Is this death ? the terror of
it grasped her very heart-strings.
But she dared not leave him thus. She must know
"whether all help were helpless now. She was moving for-
ward shrinkingly ; when a loud shout and the rush of feet
drove her back, crouching, into her concealment.
She peered forth. It was toward the cedar covert that
the trampling tread was bent. And thence, thence flitted
a white-robed form, pressing an infant to her bosom, grasp-
ing a child's hand in hers. Had she been discovered in
that hiding-place? Or had she, urged by restless dread
and a sense of insecurity, ventured forth to seek another,
yet more distant ? Fadette never knew.
On, through the shadows, in and out among those fring-
ing water-willows, like mists which floated there, on fled
the white-robed figure and the child. Fast and faster,
darkness closing in behind, pursued the black fiends. And
there a white oflicer, his drawn sword flashing in the light,
shouted and urged them on.
More, Fadette could not see, although she forgot pru-
dence, and stood up, pushing aside the foliage. Once her
fingers clenched upon her pistol, and she started forward.
But even in the impulse, she felt with a crushing helpless-
less hoAv vain must any aid of hers now be.
And still she heard, listening there with sinking heart,
that onward flight.
A low far-sounding plunge — the plash and gurgle of
waters — a volley of musketry — the shrill cry of a child — a
louder, wilder wail —
And all was still.
9
104 nAyDOLPii noyoB.
lu the gray dawn of the moiTOw, among the broad-leaved
odorous monaca-lilies, there floated np and down, at the
will of the chilly wind and the restless ever-moaning
waves, the listless form of a child, white and soft, and
swaying to and fro with the wind-swept mists which hov-
ered there. The listless form of a child, limp and flexile as
the lily-stems round which the golden tresses tangled,
washed out of curl in the cold waters, and flung back from
a cruel wound, a deeply-cutting blow in the temple, whence
the tide of life had ebbed.
Xot until gray-shrouding evening shades had fallen was
the mother found — the infant folded to her bosom as- if in
slumber, until in Paradise it shall awaken thus.
Heaven alone saw — Heaven alone recorded — the horror
of that night.
At first Fadette had sunk down, overpowered. Then,
as deepening silence told that all was over, fear gave
strength once more. She knew they must return this way
— she knew the insecurity of her concealment — and she re-
solved to fly. One moment she stayed, bending over the
old man, to lay a hurried touch upon his heart. It seemed
to her that it had ceased to beat. But as she removed her
hand, a blood-stain crimsoned the palm. Had it freshly
trickled from that bullet-wound in his side, or was it that
with which his life had flowed out ? She had no time to
ascertain, no time for anything save to bind up the wound
hastily with her handkerchief
And then she fled. He must needs have been swift who
would have overtaken her ; but she fled unseen. Crouching
in shadow, flying in light, on she sped, until in the dense
canebrake, far up the road down which that band had come,
she sank down, breathless.
In the stillness, in the darkness, only broken into by a,
RANDOLPH HONOR. 195
flickering shimmer through the cane and tlie moss-palled
boughs above, the full reality pressed yet more heavily upon
her. Never before had Death drawn near to her, and in
more than his own terrors had he come that night. She
shrank back from the swaying of the canes against her
dress — from the dropping of the withered leaves, one by
one, upon her clenching hands — from the flutter of the
night air in the long loose-floating hair. Every gust of
wind through the troubled cottonwoods came freighted
with that childish scream, that heart-wrung wail. And
though she clasped her fingers tightly on her burning eyes,
she could not shut out the flying white-robed woman —
the shape stretched out all rigid on the dead wet autumn
leaves.
A thousand insects still hummed on, as if life were one
unbroken harmony. A katydid in the cypress above waxed
argumentative with one in yonder hollow oak. Afar was
taken up the burden, now deeper, and now shriller, of the
frogs. And the mocking-bird, whose nest was in the great
magnolia on the lawn, was pouring forth his softest melody.
A mockery, indeed !
Now and then a louder echo roused the forest — the
crash and fall of deadened and decaying timber — the spring
of a startled deer. Yet to Fadette each leaf-fall was por-
tentous.
At last a nearer sound. The cane rustled and clashed
at a hurried approach. Quick-drawn breathing became
audible — so near, that she could almost feel it stir her hair,
as she crouched there, her head upon her knees. She dared
not look up. All her strength was gone at last. She could
not have moved, even had there been hope in flight.
The rustling ceased abruptly. A stifled " Thank God !"
was all that Fadette heard. It was Matoaca who flung
herself upon the earth beside her — in Matoaca's arms that
196 EASDOLPII IIOXOR.
she sank, as cane, and trees, and moonbeams whirled madly
before her.
When she revived from that death-like swoon, Matoaca
Tvas bending over her. She raised herself on her arm, and
gazed around bewildered. Then sinking back, and closing
her eyes again, she moaned —
"It is all true, then — no dream !"
The silence which ensued was broken by a deep-drawn
breath.
" The child moans in her sleep," spoke Matoaca's hoarse
voice. '' Is she motherless, that you are here alone ?"
" Yes."
" And Lily ?"
" She too."
Another long, deep silence.
Then Fadette ventured —
" How did you come here ? Where — "
Matoaca misunderstood, and filled her pause with en-
forced calmness.
" Where is my uncle ? Murdered. The brave old man.!
They had discovered our hiding-jDlace. One seized me by
the arm. I wrenched away, and fled with the child, leav-
ing my shawl only in his grasj). The old man had hurled
him back, and now standing unshaken in their midst, kept
his hand uj^on his gun, and spoke to them. I could not
hear his words, but I saw the angry flash of their bayo-
nets. I heard the quick report of a pistol, and he fell
heavily to the earth. I saw no more. They had lost
trace of me. How I came here, I know not. I know noth-
ing after."
" It was then you who shrieked when they fired ?"
" I do not remember."
No word more was spoken. The two sat holding by
each other in the dark.
RANDOLPH HONOR TOY
"Hark! they are going away," Fadette whispered pres-
^^And they heard the trampling of the horses' hoofs, pass-
ins: near — so near ! , ,r i
The chiki stirred in Matoaca's arms. "Mamma! mam-
ma!" it murmured, nestling its plump hand on her neck.
And Matoaca, glancing down by the wavenng light ot
the moonbeams, saw that it put up its full red lip to cry.
One scream, and it would all be over with them !
"Yes yes darling," she whispered, tossing the child up.
"Ah there's Birdie! see Birdie! Birdie sing May-blossom
prett'y son-, so she shall." Then catching the dimpled
naked feet,^she set herself diligently to " shoe the horse and
shoe the mare," until there was danger lest the child should
laugh aloud in its glee.
But the trampling died away in distance, fehe touciicd
Fadette's arm.
" Come," she said.
" Where ? O Matoaca, I dare not !"
" You must. I cannot leave you, and I must know if he
is past all hope indeed."
CHAPTER XVI.
SWAMP-AXGELS' KEST.
Are vows alone at chancel-rail
Made sacred, as they're fair?
Shall one heart flower in the ray
That leaveth one to waste away?
*****
Ah, Bweet, the scale wouldst balance free ?-
Love's wing beats in too heavily—
I OW quietly .was twilight falling ! The illimitable
forest stretched out far and wide, hazy with up-
risinof mist and down-trailing moss. Aisle after
aisle of forest arches opened up. For that unbroken floor-
ing of water threw out each slender shaft or massive column
clear and far against the sleeping silver. Down into that
silver swept the silver-gray moss, and the soft tint sub-
dued all — the lofty ashen trees, whereon February, going
out as a lion, had these two weeks stayed the budding
foliage — the weird, out-clutching, heavy dark-brown vines —
the fine green tendrils showering verdure on those giant
trunks. Soft as yonder slanting sunset ray, the lingering
scarlet berries glowed through moss-festoons upon that
bush. And wand-like boughs of red-bud bending low over
the boundless waters, found themselves reflected lar in
yonder archway with a lengthened ray. Thus, where the
sun sank in full blaze of golden glory behind those aisles
on aisles, flushed the sun-glow broadening in the west, and
RANDOLPH HONOR. 199
st(?:iling tlicncc with the fainting breeze across tlie iij)))los.
Low-nuinnuring, these greeted its coming, and wliile tlie
brandies stirred and rustled in the stiUness, that flood of
ruddy gold crept half-way up the trunks.
Crept half-way up the trunks, and half-way up an alien
object in these flooded forest solitudes. In the broadest
aisle of all — where, when roads were, there might have
been a road — stood, midway immersed, a huge high-swung
old-fashioned family coach, without driver, without horses,
without sign of ownership or occupancy. Until now, from
the lowered window a young girl gazed anxiously foi"ward,
where were closing in the shades of evening.
The shadows lengthened on that weary waste of waters.
The darkness drew near and nearer, until it seemed to press
upon her. Xo human sound in all the stillness. Only that
spectral rustling, and the mournful lapping of the ripple
through the trailing boughs. IS'o moving creature. Yet
that was surely — no, nothing but a distant stump, across
which the breeze, breathing its last through the tangled
moss upon that shrub, had for an instant flung a wavering
light. But hark! a heavy splashing through the w^ater
far behind. All silent still in front, whither she has been
looking eagerly. But from the rear, that rushing sound
echoed ao-ain and asjain, ever louder and more loud from
wooded wall to dome.
A breathless terror seized upon the girl. She strove to
cry aloud, but, as when we cry in dreams, her voice had
lost its power, and died away in gasps. She glanced out
upon the water's dangerous depth, and sank back, cower-
ing, into her corner, covering her face, crouching there,
awaiting fate. Xearer and nearer it came — with a tread
as of horses' hoofs.
" Hallo ! What the deuce can this mean ?"
From behind, there came another answering halloo, and
200 EAXDOLPII ITOXOU.
the rushing noise repeated. But Fadelte — trembling, cow-
ardly Fadette — had started up, reaching forth from the
window two little eager hands. She scarcely needed the
wanino^ licrht to define the broad-shouldered figure that
should accompany those tones.
"Mr. Erie! O Mr. Erie!"
In an instant he had reined in his horse, and was at her
side, grasping her extended hands.
" What is it ? TThat has happened, that you are here
alone ?" he asked anxiously, observing how they trembled
in his own, and as he observed it, tightening his hold upon
them protectingly.
What a lovely light quivered over the blushing face, as
it leaned out toward him ! How the tears glimmered in
the dark, deep, upraised eyes, and glad smiles flitted and
came again around the rosy parting mouth ! How trust-
ingly she glanced up to meet that passionate gaze of his —
how maidenly she dropped the veiling lashes now !
Yet in an instant more she had withdrawn from his clasp,
had summoned back the old, mocking smile, and was gayly
replying to his question :
" Xothing in the world has happened, but that you have
deprived me of an anticipated display of heroism. I looked
to meet nothing less than a jayhawker, a Yankee, a pan-
ther, or the ancient ghost of some bandit wanderer of Ma-
§on's band, returning to the old hunting-grounds. You
have come upon us in an exodus, Mr. Erie. We are on our
way to Little Rock, were bogged down so that old Wash
had to cut the mules loose from the carriage, and our es-
cort, Mr. Thorne, having discovered, further on, the top of
Mount Ararat, has conveyed thither one by one, upon his
own steed, in the double-pillion fashion, minus the pillion,
Aunt Janet. Amy, Matoaca — You have heard of the Sleepy
Hollow—" '
BANDOLPH HONOB. 201
She stopped short, paling to the very lips with the recol-
lection of that fearful night. It did not dwell upon her
memory daily, for persistently she fled from it. But at a
careless word, a sudden sound, the very least alarm, it came
in all its overwhelming horror. And the removal from
Beauregard, once deplored, she had afterward urged and
longed for.
"I have heard," Ruthven Erie said, gravely. "Miss
Yaughan, then, remains with my aunt ?"
" And the child — all that is left to her to love," sighed
Fadette.
" Xo, there is one, whom if she would — "
He paused. For now approached the splashing through
the perturbed waters, and he turned to present —
"Mr. Weir."
" Mr. Weir !" Fadette re-echoed the name with a glad
cry of surprise. Flushed with pleasure for Amy's sake, she
started up.
But tears rushed to her eyes, when, instead of the stal-
wart young soldier she had one evening seen, a worn ema-
ciated figure met her view. And to her cordial greetings
he slowly extended the left hand. The right sleeve was
looped empty across his breast.
An expression of pain passed across the haggard coun-
tenance observing her. And she hastened to pour forth
incoherent exclamations of Amy's joy — with lashes down-
cast, lest he should read her pity. Ruthven Erie came to
her assistance.
" Hark !" he said, " there is a movement ahead — Thorne
coming this way probably. Just ride on, Weir — Amy
will not forgive us even these moments — and turn him
back with you. If you still persist in desiring to be in-
cognito at first, give yourself another name. You can
remain in the background as you please. Say that I am
9*
202 BANDOLPE HOIs^OR.
in charge of this carriage. Shall it not be so ?" he added,
to Fadette.
She assented, and Mr. Weir rode slowly on.
" Poor fellow ! he dreads Amy's first glance," Mr. Erie
said sadly, looking after nntil he had disappeared among
the distant shadows. " But you have not told me how you
happen to be left here alone. Thorne does not deserve to
be trusted — "
" Stay," she interrupted his half-angry speech ; " don't
pronounce judgment in such headlong haste. It was not
Mr. Thorne, but a combination of courage and cowardice
on my own part. Amy and I were the last occupants of this
Koah's Ark, and when Mr. Thorne returned for us, I in-
sisted upon Amy's going with him, volunteering to follow
on a mule which Uncle Washington should lead. But after
Amy was fairly off, so great waxed my terror of my long-
eared friend's knowing way of twitching up his ears and
switching his shaven tail, that I sent Washington on to re-
call Mr. Thorne, when he should have deposited Amy in
safety. Mr. Thorne must have heard your halloo, for Uncle
Wash is a slow mover, and would hardly have reached him.
But may I, on my part, inquire into your mysterious ap-
pearance ?"
" Amy's letter actually reaching me in a week after Mr.
Rutledge's capture — your unprotected state upon the river
— my desire to remove you into safer vicinage — the se-
quence is easy to an application for transfer. Xorman
Weir, incapacitated- for service in the field, will obtain a
clerkship at Little Rock, and I join the Missouri cavalry,
Thome's regiment. We arrived at Beauregard this morn-
ing, learned your movements, and pushed on with all speed,
doubting nothing of overtaking a carriage, on our gallant
chargers."
" Oh, such a journey, Mr. Erie ! The bayous we liave
rxANDOLPII IIOXOR. 203
swum, tlie bogs we liave stalled in, the ocean we have
stemmed — making five long miles from dawning's first
light ! To twiliglit's last shade, I must add, if you do not
speedily perform your duty as knight-errant of forlorn
damsels."
lie lifted her to her place behind him, and curbing strongly
his impatient horse, on they plunged and floundered through
flood and mire, she now and then crying out, and involun-
tarily catching his arm as water deepened, or mud afforded
footing yet more treacherous.
" And now," said Ruthven Erie, over his shoulder, when
at last they went on more evenly, " have you nothing to
ask concerning one Ruthven Erie, since Amy says all, save
one fragment, of his last six months' letters to ' Beauregard'
miscarried ? Did you never feel curiosity, not to say the
shadow of interest, for his fate ?"
The word " letters" brought associations which militated
against his earnestness.
" Aye," she said, smiling slightly, " both curiosity and
interest were rampant, until not very long ago Matoaca re-
ceived an epistle which apparently contained no food for
either, but from the advent of which we concluded you yet
* The glorious hand
"Who battle for their native land.' "
" I wTote," he began, but ended abruptly there.
"I know you did," Fadette replied mischievously ; " and
really my curiosity was in so starving a condition, that had
the recipient been other than Matoaca, with her grand ideas
of honor, and her rigid justice, I should have committed
petty larceny, and stolen a perusal — just as I was strongly
tempted with that billet you intrusted to me for Mrs.
Brown. By the way, she sent me a most singular note in
204r RAXDOLrn Hoxon.
return, evidently thinking either you or I quizzing her.
TThat could you have written ?"
He looked at her fixedly, but she met him with a glance
so innocently unconcerned, that he, uncertain whether to
doubt or to believe, merely returned carelessly —
" Mrs. Brown or I must be strangely obtuse. And while
on this subject, I have in my saddle-bags a letter from your
friend, Captain Randolph, whom I met of late in Rich-
mond."
Splashing and j^lunging at this moment, floundered the
horse through treacherous bog, and through water saddle-
skirts deep. But though her horsewomanship was tested
severely, Fadctte this time made no movement to cling for
safety to Ruthven's arm. Only when the danger was past,
and the horse once more stepped cautiously on, she asked,
in a tone which she vainly strove to render perfectly mat-
ter-of-course :
" ^Aliat did he say ? I have heard nothing for months."
" What did he say ? Much of letters written, letters un-
answered. Less of valorous deeds in battle, than report
says for him. Most of a little sister-playmate. Something
of his brother's possible release from Lafayette."
" Oh, Mr. Erie ! Do you think he will really be re-
leased?"
Another plunge of the horse, and a hand laid softly on
his arm.
He turned abruptly, and looked at her. He thought :
"Can it be possible? Is it not the guardian, then, but
the playmate ?"
He replied :
" Your friend had strong hopes. He said there was no
testimony against his brother, and that friends were en-
deavoring to procure his freedom. Said that he would not
take the oath, and that the underground railway might
RANDOLPH HONOR. 205
probably brino- him among us sooner or later. But all this
may require time."
" I am so glad ! so glad !"
For one instant he did not speak. Then he responded in
a deep low voice :
" You can never thank God for it so truly as I."
"You?"
She could only stare in amazement. There was no an-
swer to inquiring eyes in the broad shoulders presented to
their view. She strove to steal a glance at the reverently-
bowed face, but at the risk of her equilibrium could gain
no more than that extreme wave of the flowing fair mous-
tache. Coming to the determination never again to ride
behind Ruthven Erie, of all people, she reiterated :
" You ? I really do not see — "
"The camp-flre light? Yonder to the left, through
those tall canes. See the white smoke curling w^ against
the moss-grown trees, and the broad far-reddening glow
across the water. And hark ! Thome's halloo to guide
us."
As the canebrake opened in a narrow straight green
avenue, 'appeared a ridge, or, in truth, a tiny oval island,
large enough, and only large enough, to meet all desires as
a camping-ground. Dim between surrounding cane, upon
which already were feeding the unharnessed mules, gleamed
water upon every side. White-tented wagons were ranged
in a line at the remote " Land's End," and on either hand
burned the large camp-fli'es of the negroes, who, in groups
of men, women, and children, basked in the glow at supper.
Snatches of wild choruses echoed sonorously with the ring
of the wood-choppers' axes, as the young trees tottered and
fell beneath their strokes. Thence, with a carpeting of
mosses, ferns, and dwarf cane scantily covering the rich
black earth, an open space stretched away to the near
203 EAXDOLPII IIOXOR
point of the island. There rose a noble forest group, the
slender polished leaves of the water-oak flashing out among
light budding haekberry and gum, and the red-oak's
heavy moss-draped boughs, in the flickering flames of a
miglity camp-fire. Those flames flickered also redly on the
two long white-covered wagons drawn up just beyond as
sleeping-apartments. But brightest of all they glowe'd
where, around the blazing logs, upon a brilliant flooring of
scarlet and blue saddle-blankets, was gathered the party in
cpiest of which Fadette and Ruthven Erie rode on.
" A name for our desert island ! " cried Fadette, when,
later in the evening, the travellers were all assembled
round the camp-fire. " Xot name it ? What exploring
expedition ever had a better right ? It is no island, you
say ? Then all the more probably no one has discovered
it before us. For certainly there never was a flood like
this since the Great Deluge, when these wilds were
uninhabited."
" That is no cela va sa?is dire,'''' Matoaca smiled. " The
Indians contend they were the first of creation, on this
continent too, and have their own tradition of the Deluge.
Yes, these wilds were wrapped in utter darkness days on
days, and at the last a far white light was seen aloft, still
rolling on, until it broke, a huge wave which engulfed the
world."
" Ah, then, we must have an Indian name," said Amy.
"What prettier than Chicora?" Harry Thorne de-
nianded, with an admiring glance toward the owner of
that sobriquet.
" Xothing prettier, indeed," she returned, laughingly ;
"but many things more appropriate. Xot a mocking-bird
to be heard this evening, Avhereas all these gutturals
from brake and bayou might assuredly suggest Swamp
Angel."
BANDOLPU IIOKOR. 207
'• S^vamp Angels' Rest ? So be it," pronounced Ivuthven,
tlirowing himself beside her ; " for here ends our croaking
over perils in the way."
" And do you know the legend of the Swamp Angels ?
Unquestionably, just here it had its origin."
" xVnd do you know, Matoaca," cried Fadette, " what
every one incurs who only names the name of legend in
my presence ? "
Her friend smiled.
" A dire penalty, no doubt. But perhaps the Arabian
proverb might apply — " Curses, like young chickens, still
come home to roost.' "
Fadette returned a reckless shake of the head. And
while Harry Thorne seconded her, Amy started, for in
stentorian tones a bullfrog close at hand demanded, she
declared, a recital so nearly touching himself and family.
" Only, no ' bullfrog dressed in soldier's clothes,' " stip-
ulated Mr. Erie.
" ISTo, no — an Indian tradition. In virtue of the drop of
red-man's blood in my own veins, you must have perfect
faith that I render it aright.
" Once upon a time — so long ago, indeed, as a time, times,
and the be2:inninQ^ of times — the remnant of an ancient
warlike tribe had journeyed far to this primeval wood.
Hither they were fled from their ancestral hunting-grounds —
the boundless prairies which the white man now claims for
himself as Texas, the soil of which his foot at that day
never trod. But other enemies had swept them forth, and
driven them here to the dense forest, where the earth no
longer trembled at the thunderous trampling of the buftalo,
and but the deer invited to the chase. A race more
numerous had raised the warwhoop against them, and the
bones of many warriors lay bleaching in the sun on those
unshadowed meadows, where the jDrairie wolves had left
20S RAXDOLPII IJOXOB.
them bare. And, too, the Sj^irit of the Fire had surged
down in a sulphurous cloud upon their village, with his
bow of flame bent over it, and there struck down or
wrapped in his embrace full many a fugitive, so that of all
their braves and mighty men but one remained. The
fragment of the tribe was spiritless and cowardly — a very
race of 'old women.'
" But Tah-we-que-nah, the young chief and mighty medi-
cine-man, still led them on. His fearless heart was touched
with compassion for the trembling and degenerate crea-
tures of the warrior band his fathers had led forth to
battle. For he trusted that their conduct was the spell of
some magician among their enemies, which in due course
of time his own great power would dispel.
" And so, although his own soul burned for nobler game
for his unerring arrows than the timid deer, and fringe
upon his leggings worthier of a brave than that of buck-
skin— still, he lingered here from summer until spring-tide,
with the shadow of his tribe.
" On none of those young men whose brows yet bore the
traces of the war-paint, and who yet at evening sang the
deeds of former braves, while in the wigwam idly lay the
tomahawk and scalping-knife — on none of those did all the
maiden's eyes turn as on the gallant chief. But among all
whose long dark hair was loosened from its braid, and
whose deer-skin tunic was wrought and decked with beads
to catch his observation, it was only on the lovely TTee-ne-
on-ka that he looked. And every glance so pleased the
Bending TTiiloAV, that she was to be his bride upon the
morrow.
" The sun went down as brightly as it did this evening —
not on a boundless waste of waters, but a vast rich o-rassy
level^ spread beneath the budding foliage and the evergreen
cane. And there, just where you sit," she added, turning
RANDOLPH IlOXOn. 209
to Fadettc, " stood Tah-we-quc-nah and his Wee-no-on-ka —
save that that willow against which you, Mr. Erie, are lean-
ing, was not there. Her head bowed down upon his arm,
which drew her close, they murraured love's vows, until it
seemed the very trees might learn the oft-repeated whisper.
" So they parted.
" On the morn that was to be the wedding-day, the sun
which rose at last from boding banks of cloud, was greeted
with a wailing shriek. By what strange freak, or magic
of a still pursuing foe, the mighty Mississippi had over-
flowed its shores and swept across the intervening miles, all
in one night, remains a mystery — but so it was. AYater,
water, creeping in on every side — water gurgling through
the trailing moss, and lapping through the cane, and moan-
ing with a sullen threatening about the cypress knees and
gnarled old vines which writhed and coiled like w^aterr
snakes. Still, water flaring with a vast relentless eye,
which peered around each knotted trunk, and glittered
through each green-leafed shadow.
" A frantic panic seized the miserable tribe, who, inland-
bred, were ignorant that it was the habit of the great Fa-
ther of Waters to pay this annual visit to his children, the
bayous and the sloughs.
" Calm among the cowards who were madly running to
and fro, stood Tah-we-que-nah. He came forth from his wig-
wam, his medicine-bag across his shoulder, and he called on
the young men, who, overavred by his commanding tones, a
moment ceased their cries and lamentations.
" ' Why do you fear, my children ? The Great Spirit can-
not hear you when terror drags your voices down to earth.
Rejoice, and look upon the flood — it is a sign he still re-
members you. See how it closes round you here, and soon
will leave no resting-place. My young men and warriors,
the Great Spirit does not will tliat you should lurk here in
210 EAXDOLPII IIOSOU.
these solitudes, wliere rust your tomahawks. He would
liave you on, to wash them bright again in your foes'
blood ! Listen, my young men, and let your heart grow
strong. Last night this Great Medicine sent your chief a
dream. lie and you were journeying westward — west-
ward— where the mighty buftalo is waiting for your arrows
on your liithers' hunting-grounds. On, Avarriors — the Great
Spirit Ts-ills it !'
" But not one moved at his command. Only "Wee-ne-on-
ka drev\' a footstep nearer, bending in her weeping, till her
long black hair swept down upon the ground.
" ' Vree-ne-on-ka, you at least will come,' he said, and
stretched his hand out toward her.
" ' T^"ee-ne-on-ka, rest with me,' a young man whispered
who had vainly sought her for his bride, ' and we will
climb yon tallest oak, and wait together far above the
waters, till they ebb away. And surely that is w^iser far
than roving westward, where the Evil Spirit lies in wait
for us.' "
" So TTee-ne-on-ka turned in fear from Tah-we-cpie-nah.
" Tah-we-que-nah's midnight eyes flashed like the light-
ning. Yet once more he spoke :
" ' Will no one of my brothers follow me ?'
" Half the tribe, in idiocy of dread, had set themselves to
burrowing in the ridge, already dank with seapiage, in the
frenzied fancy to conceal themselves from the approaches
of the foe. Swayed by his voice, they took a step now
toward him, but the glitter of the water drove them back.
And thus they hesitated, silent, moving to or fro with every
word from him, or every gurgle of the ripples.
" But a din of voices answered — from the canebrake,
where some sought to hide from the subtle enemy, and
from the trees, which others climbed in haste.
" 'But the waves are surely gleaming westward I They
BANDOLPII IIOXOE. 2 1 1
will soon go- round, go round, go round !' groaned deeply
forth one chorus.
" ' We cannot follow. If we move, we must step in, step
in, step in !' in a higher, sharper key of great disgust, a
second made rej^ly.
" ' Xo, no, we'll not descend. Down there it must already
be knee deep ! knee deep ! knee deep !' shrilled forth a
third from their position in the trees.
" Tah-we-que-nah cast a slow and scornful glance on all,
and then he flung the mystic pouch down heavily at
Wee-ne-on-ka's foot.
" He turned, A^ouchsafi ng not one backward glance, and
throwing himself upon his jet-black steed, he dashed into
the flood, his front set firmly westward.
" The splash of those departing hoofs smote on the hearers'
hearts. AYee-ne-on-ka shivered, and leaned forward hesi-
tatingly, her arms outstretched. The burrowers advanced
one uncertain step — ^instantly, however, amended by two
backward. The timid croakers one and all opened their
mouths wide, to shout the chief a final warning,
" But that instant, through the branches, came the last
glimpse of the night-black horse, and of the young brave's
nodding crest of scarlet eagle plumes, which flamed across
the waves. With that last glimpse Wee-ne-on-ka shivered
again, and the first ripple laved her feet.
" She would have sprung back in her terror, but she had
lost all power of motion. She stood rooted to the spot.
She felt strange throbbings through her every limb, and
swayed and quailed at every gust of wind. The lovely
Wee-ne-on-ka was indeed become a bending willow, always
leaning towards the west, and sighing mournfully with
every breath. She turned one parting human glance in
supplication to the lately fixvored lover. He no longer
held her hand. A bright green tree-frog leaped up in the
212 RAyDOLPII IIOXOR
boughs, and all the croaking mouths were gaping, all the
woods rang out with chiming choruses. Hark ! you may
hear them even now — the deep, gruff bass, ' Go round I
go round ! go round !' — the jeeringly ironical ' Step in !
step in ! step in !' — the shrill ' Knee deep ! knee deep !
knee deep !' of the tree-frogs.
" The tribe has spread to the four quarters of the globe,
waxed mighty in its ignominy. Its burrowing crawfish
band has wandered far, and taught to many a man its gait.
Many centuries later, however, some of this band, journey-
ing laboriously toward the Choctaw nation, were captured,
and the medicine-men restored them to the human form.
But when they told the story of the frogs, the great
magicians shook their heads. Those croaking noisy cow-
ards should no more be named among the red-men. But
stay, Mr. Erie, don't lean too heavily on Wee-ne-on-ka."
Ruthven shifted his position.
" She bears too great a weight of wickedness and cen-
turies, eh? And Tah-we-que-nah, what became of him?"
" After the manner of red men and wliite, went his ways
and found another Bending Willow, who bent only to his
sway."
" So "Wee-ne-on-ka was the unchanged one after all ?"
And he looked up into the rustling boughs and repeated :
" • Beneath youi* boughs, at fall of dew,
By lover's lips is softly told
The tale that all the ages through
Has kept the world from growing old.
"'And still, though April's buds unfold,
And summer sets the earth a-leaf,
And autumn pranks your robes with gold,
You sway and sigh in graceful grief "
All listened to the whisper of the branches through the
stillness.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 2 13
"Mamma," cried little Janet to the pale, unheeding
mother, on whose lap she leaned, and who, after the momen-
tary excitement of her nephew's greeting, had relapsed
into her usual self-wrapped state—" Mamma, I've known
for a coon's age that the frogs keep saying that. But
do you know what the owl says too? Now if I tell
you, please ma'am, mamma, don't look that a way, so far,
far off."
And the child began her story eagerly.
" Mamma, there was once an old no-account uncle — he
named Tom— going through the woods one dark, dark
night, so dark that he was mightily afraid, and slipped
along as easy ! AVhen suddenly, right through the cane-
brake close beside him, came a rustling, and somebody
called out :
" ' Who, who, who boy, you ?'
"'Mars' Billy's Tom, Sir, going to wife-house,' and he
kept on fast as he could clip it, for he had no pass, and
wasn't after any good.
" But he hadn't taken two steps, before he heard —
" ' Who, who, who boy, you ?'
" ' Mars' Billy's Tom, Sir, going to wife-house.'
" ' Who, who, who boy, you ?'
" ' Mars' Billy's Tom, Sir, going to wife-house— don't I
keep a telling you ?' he called back, as cross and as crabbed
as old Daddy Rabbit, what had an apple, and a possum
come to grab it.
" But crash, crash, crash, went the canes just then. And
the way old Uncle Tom just took up his heels, and ran
like snow ! "
Janet transferred all compliments upon the story to
Mammy, who now came to claim her. And Matoaca
presently lifted her brow from the golden curls of hei
namesake, hushed to sleep in her arms. She was impatient
'JU RAXDOLPII IIOXOR
of silence — to people "vrhich, dread memories too often
thronged.
" One and all lost in meditation," she said ; " one and all
gazing intent npon the flames. I have heard you speak of
pictures there, Chicora. Xow, to break this dull monotony
creeping on us all, let each one trace the subject of his
thoughts there in some stirring scene."
" You first, Miss Yaughan ?"
"My legend has been duly given, Mr. Thorne. Mr.
Erie, won't you begin ? The subject of your thoughts ?
A war sketch ?"
If it were, he had sought strange inspiration. For,
although from his posture, half reclining, supported on his
arm, at Fadette's feet, he too fronted the camp-fire, yet the
eyes, shaded by his hand, rested not there, but unmovedly,
thus screened, upon Fadette's dreamful face. At Matoaca's
appeal, however, he slightly shifted his position, and bend-
ing his regards on the heart of the flames, responded
immediately.
" Behold," he said, ^-ith a gesture pointing where the
fanciful imagery of light and shade flickered over those
massy glowing logs, " there they march, the Yandals, sixteen
thousand strong. See the flash of their bayonets down
yonder hill ! Hear the tramp of their horse, charging
Forrest's five hundred ! See how we fall back there,
reluctantly and slow, contending ever step by step. Xow
descends that ashen shadow on the field, and shuts in the
red glare of battle. And the evening and the morning are
the first day. Light again — the morrow, and the foe
advances. Yonder, where the grand old forest winds in
view of Tunnel Hill, there wind our grander Forrest and
his followers. Within that cloud of dust sweeps on the
enemy's advancing column, resting for a space upon the
brow of the hill, then drifting slowly down. The blue-
RAXDOLPU IIOXOR. 215
coat is cautiously ensconced in every ambush, behind each
knoll and tree and building. A shot is tired, and the foe
replies, while a dozen of his skirmishers rush across the
railway which — behold it — traces itself darkly there. But
even as these cross, higher up, unaware of the approach of
danger, two who ' wear the gray* are coming down the
road. Shall these be lost ? Forrest sees, and calling to
his side a handful of his escort, with a cheer he leads the
little squad to the charge upon the enemy between. On
they dash, spurring their steeds into a headlong gallop.
Every man behind, heedless of his own peril, is watching,
all-absorbed. A sudden pause. The fearless six are en-
veloped in smoke-wreaths — clouds from their own rifles.
For the Yankees are falling back — the two Confederates
Sijved. From the hillside the foe fires upon the band, who,
their purpose accomplished, turn to retreat — three of the
seven, Forrest of the trio, wounded."
Fadette had listened with flushing cheek and eyes riv-
eted upon the speaker. But now she commented, with an
air of mocking indiflerence :
" You say ' fearless six,' and Hhree of the seven wounded.'
I once saw a play where Greek met Greek in tug of war,
and the routed army, numbering in the outset twelve,
marched back thirteen. Account for the discrepancy, Sir,
if you please."
"No discrepancy, fair Incredulity. May there not be
six fearless ones in seven ?"
" Ah," she said, leaning forward as light suddenly broke
in upon her. " You were there yourself, then."
Ruthven Erie was the first to perceive the unwitting
innuendo, and led the general laughter, in which Fadette
confusedly joined.
"And the end? Is it really true? And were you
wounded ?" she asked, presently.
21o RAXDOLPH HOyOIi.
"My dear Miss Chicora, do you not know it is quite use-
less to question the 'reliable gentleman from over the
river T However, the enemy fell back in the direction of
Chattanooga, Forrest harassing them on the march. For
your last, and, it is to be inferred, least important question,
there is still perhaps a slight answer here." And he
touched his left arm.
A heavy sigh escaped the pale lips of the stranger, who
had this while stood silently leaning against a tree at Amy's
side. The shadows of the mossy branches, and the hat
pressed over his brows, shaded his countenance from her
view, but she glanced up with a quick impulse of sympathy
at the dangling sleeve, and tears glittered in the sweet, blue
eyes. Then hurriedly she called on Fadette for her story.
Fadette's excuse upon excuse proved unavailing. To her
pleading that not even one poor fable would recur upon her
summons, Matoaca declared that the question was not of
fables, but of pictures and of reveries, which she at least
could not disclaim, so absently as she had gazed into the
fire.
" But," Fadette added, when, her thoughts thus drawn
'through the clefts of confession,' she had acknowledged
them, " my reverie was the memory of a long-ago actual
dream, and besides being wild as dreams are, is unsuited
to the occasion in subject and in length. "What, you will
still take no denial ? Then on yourselves fall the weight
of the nightmare, if so it prove. If any can doze through
it—"
^'- Requiescat in pace ^'' supplied Ruthven Erie — "Xow
dream your dream."
"There" — she began, seeking again her pictures in the
fiery centre which had first suggested them — "there the
cataract whirls and thunders with the avalanche's roar,
down from that giddy height, down through that deep- worn
haxdolpii noxoR 217
channel in the rock wliich walls in pcrpondicnlarly the
mountain river, glooming and darkling far below. A
narrow archway spans the chasm to the gray old castle
frowning above. In its solitary conrtyard, leant against the
casement of the banquet-hall, a young girl in the peasant
garb of Switzerland is standing in the dark. I see her in
my dream — yet not as a mere gazer. Myself seemed en-
tered into her.
" Around, the night fiills murkily. The casement rattles
wildly in, while the storm drives against it. With low,
deep, distant mutterings, the blast is shriving the dying
day, in Avhose last smile the ivy on the tower dashes off
fast-oatherino' tears, cling^inoj vrith frenzied clutch to sill
r^ o TOO
and buttress. Without the castle-gate crouches the howl-
ing hound, and yonder from the northward ledge bodes the
owl at solemn intervals. The ramparts shake upon their
rocky base, as the lightnings over the far mountains hunt
down dreary shades. On yonder steeple-towered clift' the
dread Lamraergeier, whose vast Aving flaps broken in the
storm, cowers down and stares into the darkness. Down
the steep, below the castle, flees the shivering torrent, while
here against the battlements, and there in the shut-in glen
which they command, the shuddering pines bow down their
heads to shun abhorrent sights aloft. Upon their posts the
sentinels shrink against the wall, and loose the slackening
spear to mutter Aves, as Pilate shrieks upon his mountain,
while the stern wind pauses, listening, and all foul things
brush against the very face of heaven on their sin-black
wings.
" Yet within the castle all is revelry. The hoary minne-
singer tunes his harp to rhymes of love and chivalry. In
the embrasured casement, a thought withdrawn from the
goodly company, that fair proud lady sits enthroned on tlie
carven chair of oak. While, most like a knight-errant,
10
218 BAKDOLPH HOXOR
returned for the conqueror's crowning at her ovm white
hands, the noble Lord of Arnheim leans above her chair.
She smiles up into his darkly handsome face as reverently
he touches her hand to his lips — smiles through tears while
she listens to his words, for they are all of parting on the
morrow. In tournament these three days past he won the
hand he holds, yet the proud Count of Geierstein would
yet further prove such claim to his only daughter, the fair
young Countess Amalia. A year and a day from the
coming dawn is Herman of Arnheim to absent himself, and
in that interim to win fame worthy of his noble name and
of his noble bride.
" She smiles up into his eyes, and they soften with tender
homage as he reads her soul's fair page, where only his
name in golden characters is written. So innocent a page
he is not wont to turn, if rumor speaks truth. For even
from his native Suabia it whispers that the house of Arn-
heim claims a strange wild lineage, deeply learned in
forbidden knowledge. Inasmuch as though they were
knight-like brave, and though the chase, the tilt, the battle,
found them ever to the fore, yet weird tales were told of
their Suabian castle — wondrous lights were seen there,
mysterious Paynim guests had free access and seats above
the salt at the Baron's table, while foot-sore monks in
full odor of sanctity were bidden to rest them at the
castle gate, and the cup of wine was sent without to
them.
" She smiles on still, though the minstrel has tuned his
harp to a new accord, and sings now of absence and forget-
fulness. Xor does the knight give ear to other than the
silent s^jeech of her lovely eyes. Xeither the music-wail
within, nor the storm-wail without, nor yet that smothered
moan close beneath the casement in which he leans. Xo
one heeds that. The ladv mav care for the little bower-
RANDOLPH HONOR. 210
maiden as for the petted spaniel that cringes at iier
foot. But when the dainty trinket is bestowed, the glitter-
ing- collar donned, she knows not, dreams not, of a need
beyond. Love — yes, she loves the spaniel and tlie bower-
maiden — she strokes the shining brown coat of the one, the
glossy raven tresses of the other — would have one fawn
upon her slender foot, the other caress her snowy hand
when it so pleases her to put it forth. And have they need
of more? Then let the maiden mate her with the gallant
young Landsknecht on whom my Lord of Geierstein, in
honor of faitliful services in tent and held, has bestowed
that Senner-hut and pasture down the mountain-side.
Those faithful services merit yet another boon, and thus
the noble Count and his fair daughter themselves, some
weeks since, urged on the fit betrothal. Love — that
will come fast enough. Surely she will not dare, the
lowly bower-maiden, to lift her head — not dare to meet
with level-fronting glance the Lord of Arnheim's eyes !
IS'ot dare, although the day he came a stranger to these
savage cliffs she had rescued him and his night-blac]^ steed
Apollyon from imminent peril. For which service, she liaa
been duly recompensed in the bestowal of a dazzling
jewelled necklace. And had she but worn that gaud dis-
played this morning when she crossed his path in tlie
courtyard, he would have remembered her, and given her
a kind good-morrow. But, hid beneath the bodice, how
sharply the wrought links bruised her heaving bosom as
she presses her clenched hands there ! Is it that she loves
to look upon the bravery of the gentles, that she lingers
thus without, never once removin<y her p'aze, though the
wind plucks at her gay peasant garb, and rain falls drop
by drop from the overhanging ivy down the flushed and
burning cheeks, and glitters on lashes moistened with no
tear?
220 BAxr,OLrn jioxor.
" The wind clutches at lier o-arments, the storm lays a cold
touch on her shoulder, shaking her slight form. And iiow
another touch is laid there also.
" She utters no cry, but the very ivy bough she holds by
trembles not more than she trembles as she turns. For the
slender stream of light through the casement discovers to
her astonished vision no castle servitor, but a countenance
seen dimly through the uncertain haze of f^ir-otf childish
dreams — a countenance long years forgotten, now flashing
back uj^on her. Again she lay, a wailing child, out in the
tempest, close against the barred portals of the castle.
There that man's weird shrivelled face, with deep un-
earthly eyes, had bent one instant over hers, that stared
wide open in the lightning blare, and anon, rousing the
warden with a thundering summons at the gate, he had
vanished, his black robes blending with the midnight.
" He turns on her now that same gaze, piercing to the very
depths of her soul. And with a quick movement she folds
her arms uj^on her bosom, j^ressing the corsage closer, lest
in that, tumultuous heaving of her heart the jewels should
flash out.
" ' Thou poor one,' he utters, in a tone hardly distin-
guishable from the soughing in the ivy ; ' and is it thou,
descended from long line of Persian Magi, that wilt stoop
thy neck to lord and lady, and mate thee with a base-born
churl ? Or hast thou nerve to yield thy will free scope ?
TTilt dare to look upon the path that lies before thee, up to
honors, riches — love ? Then follow me.'
*' She rivets her regards upon him, fear giving place to
wonder.
" ' My path leads to the Senner-hut,' she said, bitterly.
' The finest cheeses are my honors, the golden cream my
riches. Love — ' Her voice faltered there, and with a
shiver she averted her head. In the movement her crlance
RANDOLPH UOKOR 221
again ft-ll on the casement. Through the tempest's tran-
sient hill she heard, as Arnheim bent there still :
" ' Fair, is she ? Nay, by my troth, I see not the moon
while the sun is smiling on me. Yet I would fain lack in
naught of gratitude for the life that now is doubly dear.
Is the maiden betrothed, sweet lady? Else, when this
weary year and day shall have passed by, thou shalt bring
lier to our Castle of Arnheim, and there choose her out the
bravest of all Arnhei'm's gallant retainers, whom for her
sake — and thine — we will endow richly as befits thy faithful
bower-woman and the savior of my life — my guide to this
fair castle, wherein I have found more than life.'
" The maiden stays not for the lady's words, but when her
strange companion spoke again, ' Wilt follow me ?' she
moves in silence to his side, and so across the court-
yard.
" Wilder than ever rages the storm, sweeping on in mid-
night garments that enshroud the two stealing over to the
sally-port. Rain and wind patter and trail along the pave,
and other footsteps are not heard. The sentinel shudders,
and the hound at his feet bays only at the storm. The
gates stand open with no grating louder than the blast's
wild rattle, as again they close behind the two, who now
have crossed the perilous bridge, and wend along the tor-
rent's further brink. This path to honors, riches, love, is
fraught with danger, darkness, weariness. Yet she pauses
not, nor murmurs. Only one instant's stay she makes. It
is where above the foaming torrent, on a green cliff fringed
with pines, is perched a Senner-hut. She glances through
the open lattice. A stalwart sunny-browed young peasant
has thrown himself ujDon a bench before the fire blazing in
the centre of the apartment. He bends forward, burnish-
ing with careful pride the huge two-handed sword which
still bears marks of combat. Suddenly he suspends his
222 RAXDOLPU UOXOR.
^vhistling of that recklessly defiant Yolkslied. Lifting his
head as he tosses back the waving lock from his bright
blue eyes, he cries, looking on the glitteiing blade approv-
ingly—
" ' Soh I my trusty friend I thou and I stand ready, Con-
federates both, for Leopold and all his Austrians. Out
upon thee ! shall Amhenn dare more for his gentle lady of
Geierstein, than thou for Hermione, the bright wild Alp-rose
sheltered in her bower?'
" The maiden without covers her face with a shivering
moan, as the blade, waA'ed over his slioulder, flashes in the
firelight. Yet when the sapling larch, which leans with
her against the lattice, catches at her scarf in the wind, she
breaks the branch impetuously off, and hurries on.
" From gorge to gorge, from scarp to scarp — along the
very brink of the torrent revealed by blasts which for a
single instant cleave the mists down to the black waves,
far below. How those blasts mock at her as they whirl up
gusts of spray and dash them in her face ! How the mists
assume threatening form.s, and circle giddily round that
strange guide ! And still she hurries on — "
" What, that is surely not the end ?"
"At that moment I awoke. Amy — the j^erilous path was
traversed while I had fallen asleep in the sunshine on Mount
Pilatus. My guardian had been reading to our assembled
Alpine party the Great Unknown's storm in those soli-
tudes ; the description of Castle Geierstein ; the legend of
Baron Arnheim and his black-robed Gheber guests, and of
the fairy-like Hermione's mysterious appearance at Arn-
heim. There by her beauty and her magic lore of forbid-
den knowledge, she soon won the Baron's heart and hand,
when one day a drop of holy-water falling on the enchanted
opal alvrays worn upon her brow, quenched for a time its
flame, and forever that of her mortal life. But — Oh, Mr.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 223
Tliorne, Mr. Thoriie ! Confess that you, too, have been
dreaming during my long dream."
As an invohintary nod had ah*eady given assent, his
stammered denial came too late. And no atonement, Fa-
dette in her indignation declared, was possible, save a story
far — yes, very for — from long, and which thunders of war
should keep from being dreamy.
"Xo," he returned to her laughing advice to seek his
subject in the fire — "I can see there only blazing logs and
foiling chunks, suggestive of nothing in the world but heat
and light. Will you have a bushwhacking adventure, in-
stead of a picture ?
" It was just such an eA-ening as this. The sun was drop-
ping— you must know, upon the prairie, he conducts him-
self in no such old-fogy style as to rise and set — was drop-
ping like a globe of fire down behind the far level grassy
line which blended, ciimsoned, with the crimson of the
skies. It was the fall of sixty-one. A score of us were
lying grouped in bivouac in a fringe of trees upon the
prairie. A gay and festive-looking crowd, for though Ave
had been riding, singly, day and night down from our
homes in North Missouri, all but two were newly gotten-up
recruits. I myself Avas magnificently arrayed in blue Fed-
eral OA'ercoat, and unparalleled cavalry boots. The only
ragamufiin in our ranks was a gallant fellow who, with me,
had come up from the army on recruiting-serAdce. And
here at last we were all met, to find or fight our way to-
gether down to our own Price. So, having Avon through our
solitary dangers, and had our through of silence' and wari-
ness, we imagined ourselves fairly out of the wood, and
were whistling over our progress rather loudly and defi-
antly. When bang ! bang ! bang ! — along the woodland
fringe Avhich we, over-confidently, had left unguarded —
blazed away a hundred rifles, and a hundred horsemen
224 RASDOLFII HOXOn.
dashed up at a howling pace. You bet that music brought
us to our feet in foster time than * Boots and Saddles.'
And never Texan officer, with his * Prepare to git, boys —
git !' — could mount his men in shorter order. Xo room to
crawfish then, ^liss Vaughan — we were up and at them —
every man resolved to prove on this first field that he be-
longed to no Mackerel Brigade. And how we did pitch
in I Until at last the enemy saw it good for his whole-
some to vamose, with a livelier * git' than ours, leaving in
his tracks some dozen dead or dying. But I was past be-
holding this conclusiou— dropped senseless with a bullet in
the breast.
" "When my eyes unclosed again, both conflict and pursuit
were over.' A mound beside me showed where our slain had
hastily been laid. Around me, stretched out, rigid, more
than one dead foe. And yonder, our boys were mounting,
the two or three severely wounded lashed upon their horses,
to be carried under cover of the night to friendly shelter.
They Avere leaving me for dead, then ! My vaunted Federal
equipments had betrayed me !
" With one mighty eflbrt, nothing short of desperation, I
raised my head. But the cry died in a gasp.
" At that verv instant I felt a sudden wrench at mv rieht
boot — the self-same, Erie, which so nearly did for you last
winter at ' The Homestead' — and when I gasped out, as I
have said, a man sprang up with a halloo !
" ' What, not dead yet !' he cried, dropping the boot he
had been pulling at. ' Xow that is just my trifling luck !
For if ever I bark a live man, 'twill be after this ! Look
here, you sir, Mr. Yank, hurry up, and I'll wait for your
boots.'
"This was said with the most thoroughly matter-of-
course air imaginable. And the tattered comrade who had
ridden with me from the southward army took his seat
EANDOLPn HONOR 225
leisurely upon a log at a short distance, his elbows on his
knees, his chin in the hollow of his hands. He sent one
glance after the departing rebels, as if to determine m what
time it miivht be expedient for me to bequeath my boots.
And then,"in the twilight, from beneath the battered old
felt, and between the black elf-locks above and the bushy
beard beneath, he dropped his eyes on me, in courteous
attendance on my convenience. It was too much ! If that
had been my last breath, it must have spent itself m the
laugh which I laughed then !"
It was re-echoed now— more merrily, no doubt.
" But, Mr. Thorne," cried Amy, " you must not leave us
to suspect that fast friend of your boots. What, then,
became — "
"Boots and all here, Mrs. Weir. Your cousin enjomed
brevity. And now your contribution— you see we are all
awaiting it."
"Your story," said Amy, "recalls a certam bush-
whacker's glee I have lately seen. The writer, one would
think, must in some way belong to the bush— at all events,
sings con amove. But of this you shall yourselves judge."
This was spoken with a sly glance toward Fadette,
who, however, looked into the fire, almost too carelessly
indiiferent.
Amy went on :
" Up, up, and to horse, boys !— no bugle is sounding-
No drum wakes the forest-born echoes surrounding;
The gray mountains sleep in the moon's loving smile—
The mocking-bird lullaby chanteth the while-
Is' t for Liberty sleeping?
'• Afar o'er the prairie yon lake lies a-dreaming,
All dim o'er its breast the long grasses are streaming ;
O'er their image that star is reflected so clear,
It would seem that m slumber the heavens draw near,
As the earth pales to shadow.
lO*
226 RAKDOLPH ROXOR.
" Away to the eastward the prairie, reposing —
The breeze on its bosom low leaneth, half dozing —
Yon mountains shut out the fierce din of the world,
And here o'er the forests the white mists have curled,
As from peace-pipe of nature.
" And here, where the boughs stir apart in the gloaming,
Moving drowsily back for dreams going and coming,
They sleep — though the wood-tick is sounding alarms.
And the death-owl forebodeth — they sleep on theii* arms,
That band of guerrillas.
" Afar, the still prairie a measured ti-ead shaketh —
The prame's hushed heart 'neath the iron heel quaketh —
All blood-red, Mars glows on the lake as they pass —
The down-trodden flowers amid the tall grass
Bow their heads, weeping after.
" Up, up, and to arms, boys I — the foe is upon us ;
Xow strike for the name our right arm hath won us :
The}' come, but they tremble in coming — the hounds I
Our foot on our own soil, the forest surrounds.
And the bush is om- home, boys.
" Up, up, and to arms I for the foe is upon us ;
Strike home to the faint hearts whose fear hath undone us :
If they trembled to shake off the tyrant's base chain,
Before brothers betrayed they shall ti-emble again,
Base-born sons of Missomi I
" Up, up, and to arms, boys I The sword Vengeance graspeth,
And Libert^^'s up, and her bloody hand claspeth :
One blow for the fond eyes that watch and that weep,
One blow for the comrades since yestreen asleep,
And all for Missomi I
" Up, up, and to arms, boys ! Like wild beasts they hunt us ;
Ten slaves to one man, thus the}' dare to confront us :
They bind us — he's harmless who 'neath their heel lies —
Or they lend him a rope if he sti'uggles to rise —
He mav rise e'en to heaven I
RANDOLPH HONOR. 227
« Up, up, and to amis, boys ! Remember, remember,
How they drove out ovu- loved ones in snow's of December :
Our homesteads on tire glow red with their shame.
O God ! that wild shriek from the heart of the flame !— ^
God ! Thine is the vengeance.
" They are up— every man to his saddle-bow springing,
So silent, they flight not the mocking-bird singing ;
The steeds paw the ground, all impatient, nor neigh,
For trackless, they've learned, is the bushwhacker's way,
And the echoes will gossip.
" Like the slow^-gathering tempest the fqe is advancing ;
Through the brush like the lightning our rifles are glancing,
Thimder-crash after crash— like the leaves in the blast.
As we sweep down upon him, the foe fleeth fast,
And he falls with the dead leaves.
" Hurrah for the bush, boys !— the bloodhounds are j^elping
Back, back to then- kennels— one volley more, helping !
Gleams the steel of their carbines through yon mountain pass-
Surge after, the waves of the long prairie grass.
And the dead there are theirs, boys.
" To horse and away ! Ten to one we have diiven—
The shackles they brought for our wrists we have riven ;
Yet back they will march with their thousands amain.
If we seek not old haunts in the mountains again—
For the winter on cometh.
" Soon white through the gray wood the snow shall fall aiiy ;
If we stay, they will track our path o'er the prairie.
A long night in those caves— yet thus rest the free deer—
And woman's smiles sometimes like moonlight will cheer.
For they love— fair Missouri,
" When the leaves come, adown with the streams we'll be sweeping ;
We'll waken the land from her long winter sleeping-
Pay off all old scores then, and any new debt :
Retribution may slumber, but cannot forget-
Then hurrah for the hills, boys !"
228 RAXDOLPU ITOXOB.
Riithvcn Eric's glance had folloAved Amy's. ITc saw
Fadctte flush beneath the consciousness of it — flush deeper,
as he thought, when Amy pronounced, with a little mali-
cious emphasis, " For they love — fair Missouri." He leaned
there perfectly indifl*erent to the fact that his unvarying
scrutiny must be observed ; watching her face as though
an instant's movement must lose it forever; seeking in
every flitting expression there, the solution of a doubt
grown insupportable at last.
Emotion after emotion surged rapidly as her blushes.
Yet she dill not think. She only felt dimly that the old
footing upon which she and Ruthven Erie had stood, was
in some way swept away, leaving the next step in the
future unsteady and uncertain — and that he was looking
at her as he had never looked before — and that all was
strangely uncomfortable and wrong, and yet so strangely
happy too, that she sat on motionless, afraid to break the
dream.
" And now," said Amy, softly, to the wounded soldier at
her side, " will you, too, not conform to our evening's rule.
Sir, and give us your story ?"
The stranger started and drew back hastily, seeming not
to have understood her question. But .when she repeated
it, troubled by his isolation among the home-group, he
stammered out, reluctantly and hesitatingly :
" I — I cannot—"
TTith the first tone. Amy had sprung to her feet.
" It is — it is his voice !" she cried : " Xorman I O Xor-
man !"
"Amy!"
She threw herself upon his breast, speechless.
" Then you do not care, my own ?" he asked, after a mo-
ment thus, still holding her fast.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 229
" Xot care ! O Norman, for yon ! But — anything that
brings you to me once again !"
Fadette slept, but toward dawn the freshening chillness
roused her, notwithstanding the manifold wrappings pro-
vided for such an emergency. She shivered, and drew
back the damp wagon-cover, looking enviously toward
the three soldiers outstretched in such apparent comfort,
wrapped in their blankets, on the further side of the camp-
fire. On this side was no one. All continued so quiet,
that presently she began to argue the propriety of stealing
out unseen, to warm her cramped and benumbed limbs. The
longer she looked, the more impossible to resist the temp-
tation. So she descended noiselessly to the ground, and
made her way to the fire, the blazing pile between her and
the trio of slumberers, toward whom she sent one hurried
glance, fearful of observation.
A graceful picture she formed there, with the illuminated
foreground, the white wagon as background, and the dark
moss-curtained woods framing all on every side, yet dis-
closing a faint glimmer of water.
She knelt upon one knee, her small cold hands out-
stretched to the heat, — her hair, from which the white misty
nube had fallen to her shoulders, and which had escaped
from the confining comb, flowing in purple-black ripples
almost to the ground. Some one there was a connoisseur
in pictures, seemingly. Ruthven Erie these last five min-
utes had been standing by, his arms folded and his gaze
fastened on her.
Presently, rousing herself from the drowsiness which had
crept over, clasping her hands behind her head, and yawn-
ing slightly, she looked up, and their eyes met.
She started and colored, moving as if to lise.
" No, do not go," he said, drawing near, and leaning
230 nAXnOLPR noxoB.
against the rustling oak which overshadowed her. "I
came but to see if your fire was still good. The dawn is
approaching, somewhat chilly. Are you chilly too ?"
" Chilly ? — I — I — no, not now," stammered Fadette, con-
fused, she knew not why. And hastening to fill the pause,
she added :
" You soldiers certainly understand the art of building
fires. Does the charm of camping-out lie chiefly in its
novelty, Mr. Erie ? Have I slept well, you ask ? Well —
in the most delicious way, in dreamful snatches, with the
gurgle of the water through the cane, the trailing of the
moss along our tented roof, and the far-off thousand forest
sounds. And then to awake, and through convenient tat-
ters of our convass, to meet clear stars shining right friendly
down ! Ah, Mr. Erie, I don't believe the stars are at all
friendly with you, that shrug was so skeptical."
For a moment he made no reply, and then he spoke in a '
lowered voice, still looking at her :
" Do you remember when last we watched the stars to-
gether?"
"And d pro2)os of them, waxed so philosophic — yes."
" Philosophic ! Xot so I. Far other than philosophy's
teachings was the lesson I learned that night."
She felt it, as he bent down, speaking with subdued earn-
estness. And she showed that she felt it, while flush after
flush quivered over her downcast face, bowed lower and
lower from his view.
" What was it that I learned ?" he said, again.
She did not reply, only trembled excitedly, the shadowy
lashes sweeping her l)urning cheek.
His hand closed gently but firmly on hers clasped to-
gether.
" Listen," he began, " and tell me if that which I then had
by heart, it must indeed be my endless life-task to forget."
RANDOLPH HONOR. 231
But at that instant there was a rustling at the wagon
curtains. And as Fadette, without one word or glance,
withdrew her hands in haste, Amy's liglit figure appeared
balanced on the wagon's edge, and her voice summoned
Ruthven Erie to aid in her descent to warmth and cheer.
And although at the sound Norman Weir started up and
intercepted the cousin, the recital of the lesson was not
destined to be finished on that daAvn.
CHAPTER XVII.
LAXD-IIO !
" My heart, I bid thee answer :
How are Love's marvels wrought?—
' Two hearts to one pulse beating,
Two spirits to one thought.'
And tell me how Love cometh ?—
' It comes unsought, unsent !'
And tell me how Love goeth? —
' That was not Love that went.' "
Fkom the German^.
lAXD-HO !"
Harry Thoriie, who had been riding in front of
\ the carriage, splashed back with this exclamation.
Xight had at last closed in darkly beneath interlaced forest
boughs curtained in with moss. The mules were plunging
blindly on through mud and flood — the leaders now hung
on this tree, now straining A'iolently against that stump,
and anon thumping suddenly down into several feet of
water, over the remains of a swept-away bridge. Against
all these perils the vigilance of careful Washington, and
the oruidinoj shouts and wind-tossed torches of the soldier-
escort, were powerless to guard. Since morning, when a
hastily constructed raft had ferried successive loads of pas-
sengers and freight across the swimming water beyond
" Swamp Angel's Rest," the " Swanip Angels," true to the
name, had never emerged from bog and bayou, but floun-
dered on, now swimming, now bogged down, and anon on
the verge of many an upset. After a long day's journey
of five miles, crossing at last a shallower slough, they
RANDOLPH HONOR. 233
reached a low ridge, the boundary of the swamp, and the
be-mnino- of " the hills." Pines began to mingle at inter-
vafs in the growth of black-jacks. A stone or two occa-
sionally elevated itself near scant dwarf cane and taller
cockle-burrs. And "the hills" might be seen in a succes-
sion of faint slopes, by the aid of as lively an imagmation
as was requisite to discern the so-called "bottom m the
flooded district just traversed-in which, plunge as they
would, to no bottom travellers apparently attanied.
"Land-Ho '" And now a narrow clearing ni the wood,
where starlight was at last observable, and yonder the red-
der illumination of fire-light in a log-cabin. Desolate m
the midst of a cleared field, surrounded by a stragglmg,
rao-ged worm-fence, the owner yet kept open house there,
if one might look to the broad chinks in the walls, through
which the fire flickered. , . , .
On terra firma, then, our travellers alighted, with much
grumbling, however, and protestations that the adjective
could only be used in the comparative, as they made slow
proo-ress through the clinging red-brown mire of the enclo-
Lr Somewhat to the rear, yet sufiiciently in the vicmage
of the double cabin of two rooms, with open hall between
and o-allery in front, two or three negro cabins and out-
houses were clustered. A cow rose up slowly, disturbed
from muddy bed of repose by the gallery steps ; a number
of piers scampered squealing here and there; and quite a
troop' of small African tatterdemalions gathered stanng
round, then sped away, summoning "Mistis" to decide
upon the wayworn case of the travellers.
Stout homespun "Mistis" proved compassionate, upon
Mr Erie's -raphic delineation of "dangers by flood and
fifeld " And the self-constituted guests, followed by some
half-dozen gaping and grinning barefoot children, white
and black, were escorted into the sitting-room, weaving-
234 RANDOLPH HOXOR.
room, or sleeping-apartment — claiming the three titles by
virtue of bedstead, table, and split-bottomed chairs, and
loom and spinning-wheel. The busy hum of the latter
ceased as the eldest girl turned from it, dipping-stick in
mouth, on the entrance of the strangers.
The puncheon-floor seemed very smooth and restful to
the weary ones who had been jolting over flooded corduroy
patches, or struggling through bog, during a three days'
journey. The prospect presented no hope of accommoda-
tions for the night, although the hostess oflfered to vacate
this apartment. But carriage-cushions, and a blanket-
spread floor before the deep mud chimney which occupied
with huore blazino- logrs one entire side of the cabin, were
the acme of comfort to those who had been cramped within
the carriage for so many hours. And in the cheery roar
and cracklino; of the flames, and the q-Iow thev threw
around on raftered roof and rough-hewn walls, one forgot
that the wind whistled through crannies a hand-breadth
wide, from which the mud cement had fallen.
Altogether, the party assembled was a mei-ry one. Ad-
ventures were recalled, much to the amusement of the
audience, great and small, in the background ; some slender
war-news returned to the interrogations of the hostess,
whose husband and sons were in the Cis-Mississippi armies ;
and a respectfully inquiring old " uncle," who came in to
replenish the fire, was informed that these river-people had
indeed seen a live Yankee, and that, though sufliciently
appalling, he did not possess horns.
Then the ladies must examine the fine piece of homespun
now in the loom, and learn how its blue and green and red
and yellow plaids were dyed with this or that bark or stone
or earth ; and admire that great roll of butternut jeans just
finished for soldiers' use.
Finally, though the table, upon which were still the re-
RANDOLPH HONOR. 235
mains of supper, afforded evidence that the hospitable en-
tertainer lived upon the fat of the land, Matoaca had very
irraeiously to decline the offer of corn-bread, middling, and
sweet-potato coffee, while she proposed instead to give the
dame a cup of real coffee, that luxury denied by tne war,
and valued next to snuff.
Fadette went out upon the gallery to summon Wash-
in<yton and provision-basket.
The order was delivered, but she paused, detained by
the beauty of the night. True, the full moon, just rising,
a -reat globe of crimson glory, behind the low slightly
wa^ed line of woodland, glinted across upon a weary waste
of mud where the flood had not long since encroached;
upon deadened timber in the fields around; upon the forest
of stunted black-jacks, with their dull-brown harshly-rat-
tlino- foliage, closing in the near horizon, where only an
occasional black pine uplifted itself from the monotony.
But beneath the moonlight's magic touch, the gaunt white
trunks rose weirdly against dark-blue glittering skies; the
woods lay like a murky storm-drift beneath snow-clouds ;
and even the ragged worm-fences wound along in varied
liffht and shade. . , ^
But other cause than moonbeams kept Fadette without.
\11 day long had Ruthven Erie lingered beside her m
wait for a word, a smile, which might separate his atten-
tions from those offered with more manifest anxiety by
younc Thorne. Yet vainly. In the broad light of day the
memories of the dawn waned mistily and dimly, until they
were unsubstantial as a dream. But very present, very
clear, stood out five moments in the noontide, while Ruth-
ven Erie had checked his horse beside Matoaca Vaughan.
Mrs. Rutledge and Amy had lapsed into drowsy silenc^e m
their respective corners of the carriage, and Fadette from
her seat in front, might have been presumed to take no
2U RANDOLPH HOXOR.
note. But she had seen Erie ride on there, his hand rest-
ing on the window-sill close beside Matoaca's, his strong,
earnest face upraised to hers, with a tide of troubled
emotion sweeping over it, an impassioned pleading, which
had thrilled Fadette's pulses, and made her fain to turn
abruptly to the blank prospect of moss-palled woods, and
waters that caught the long gray shadows, before her. She
stared on these with a long fixed stare, that was almost
fierce in its intensity, while her breath came in short quick
gasps, and her hands clenched tightly on each other. She
did not move, thus leaning forward, until Ruthven Erie
dashed by without one look, and rode on to the front, where
Mr. Thorne and Mr. Weir were both essaying to find a ford
across the slough. She had turned sharply from watching
him, and in so doing her glance had fallen on Matoaca.
The face a moment ago blushing, downcast, and averted,
was now thrown back wearily, wan, and pale, and the long
black lashes that swept the marble cheek were freighted
down with one or two large tears, while that imperial
mouth was set with the stern triumph, the worn fagged
after-time of conquest — self-conquest ? Fadette was pon-
dering, until she forced aside the current of her thoughts.
But that current had swerved again from her control
while she tarried alone in the moonlight, her hands lying
listlessly upon the rude railing around the gallery, her eyes
dropped with unobservant outlook on the dismal sweep of
mud and wood.
She was still standing thus, when a well-known step
resounded behind.
She started. Her first impulse was to take refuge within-
doors from a ttte-d-ttte she feared. But as she saw Ruthven
Erie already at her side, she felt avoidance now would be
too marked.
"Upon an exploring, expedition, Mr. Erie?" she
BANDOLPn nOKOB. 237
asked liglitly, determining to make the best of her
position.
" Here is my bourn," he said. " I was in search of you."
And he leaned beside her against the railing, removing his
hat and carelessly shaking back that falling wave of fair
hair.
" In search of me ? Thank you. I should have known
those grand arrangements for tea could not dispense with
me," she said, hastily attempting to pass him.
He intercepted her with a lazy, almost nonchalant move-
ment.
" Not at all. I am the only one in need of you at this
present. Cannot you stay and talk to me for the space of
ten minutes, during which I may smoke this cigar— yes, a
cigar which has run the blockade, and which I know of
old your goodness to encourage?" — lighting one as he
spoke, and interrupting his words with an occasional slow
enjoyable puff. " Or you shall continue your absorbed
contemplation of moon and mud, provided you do not
abandon me to it in solitude."
" No, no, rather than that I will send you out the fair
aboriginal maiden," laughed Fadette, resuming her place,
however, reassured by his manner.
" I have just returned from an interview with her at the
stable," he replied. ". She had taken* possession of my horse
early in the action, had ridden him down there, and my
whole will was in requisition to prevent her imsaddling
and feeding him with her own fair hands."
Fadette smiled.
" Pity all Dulcineas are not thus complaisant," she said.
"Unfortunately, I cannot appropriate the compliment,
all was done in so matter-of course a style. But," and he
suddenly shifted his position, looking down into her face,
" you say true ; it is pity all Dulcineas are not complaisant.
2^38 BANDOLPH HOXOR.
Why ai'e they not ? Why do they lend the inimical wind
mill, that modern form of Fortune's wheel, so many sighs
and breaths and gales of coldness and caprice ?"
Her quick glance caught the slight smile curling his
lip-
"Because," she reijlied, "degenerate Quixotes of this day
ride on and do battle with the windmills in their own names,
or in those of half a dozen Dulcineas."
He removed his cigar, and now, still resting on one arm
and searching her face, he said slowly :
" You know it is not thus with me. You know — Xo, go
you shall not," gently but firmly covering her hand with his
upon the railing, as she attempted to pass him. " You
shall hear me out now. What have I done that you should
torture me thus ?" he ended, in a strangely altered tone.
She dared not meet his eyes. She trembled violently,
and was silent. He went on, his tones softening to tender-
ness :
" Do you know that the touch of this little hand — which
perhaps I hold as mine — mine — tlius — to-night for the last
time— has thrilled my thoughts, waking or dreaming, the
two long years since last it lay in mine ? Do you know
that an accent, a glance of yours, has returned again and
again, instinct with hope or with despair, above the battle-
thunder — through the midnight hush — upon the weary
march? My darling, have the sweetest been delusive
brightness ? Is it all in vain ?"
Doubt had fled. She stood with bowed head, and mouth
quivering in a smile, swayed only by that passion-deep low
A^oice. He loved her, then — and she —
But when that A'oice, which banished fi-om her heart all
echoes of the past, had ceased, returning memory smote
her with a keen fierce pang. Of what had she been
thinkino^? Had she no sense of honor left? Little more
BANDOLPn HONOR 239
than two years ago, beneath such a moon as this, had she
not suffered another than Rutliven Erie —
" Let me go, let me go !" she cried vehemently, stung
with the remembrance, struggling to withdraw her hand.
And he let her go — without one word — with but one
glance at her averted face crimsoned with shame.
He let her go. She had almost gained the threshold,
where was safety. Safety from herself — for that one glance
of his had flashed upon her in outraged pride, and she knew
that he relinquished her with the hand he coldly dropped
upon the instant. In her inmost soul she felt that all was
over — the dream had faded out forcA^er. And she ven-
tured, stunned into a calm despair, to pause one instant to
look back upon it.
Aye, she felt he had not so much as moved to watch her.
He stood there Avith his back toward her, his arms folded
on his breast, his head uplifted haughtily.
She could not bear his anger, and know that she had
seemed to trifle Avith him. Almost before thought could
frame itself, she was before him.
Tears dropped fast and faster from her uplifted eyes,
unconscious of them. Her lip quivered, and the upraised
clasped hands were trembling. So much of childlike hu-
mility was in the attitude, so much of childlike trust and
pleading in the face on which the moonlight fell, that his
cold gaze melted slowly, and he held out his hand.
But hers did not waver to the yearning clasp. She still
upheld them pressed against her bosom. And he marked
the moonbeams flash and glitter on that ring.
" Mr. Erie," she said, in a A^'oice shaken as if draAvn
through sobs, which hoAvever came not, " I — I should haA'e
told you long ago that I — "
She broke down completely, coA-ering her face, as she
slipped the ring from her finger, and silently extended it.
240 BANDOLPII HOXOB,
As silently he bowed over it. The initials were only too
well known, and he read, traced rudely within the golden
circle : " Till death us do part."
Cold beads stood upon his brow, and the rigid lij^s just
faltered, like a suppressed moan —
"My God!"
Then firmly and unhesitatingly he replaced the ring,
l^ressing it there while he spoke in low and steady tones :
"Had I not feared this, two years ago I would hav^e
spoken. Yesterday I dreamed the fear unfounded. Forget
what I have said to-night. For I — God knows I hold this
bond as sacred as you can !"
He pressed the tiny hand passionately to his lips, and
left her. She watched through rushing tears until he
gained the road, and there jDaced u^) and down with meas-
ured pauseless tread. Fadette wondered, as she watched,
how he could be so strong, so calm. His head was thrown
back, his brow bared to the wind, as if he even drew enjoy-
ment from the night. And with a bitter aching at her
heart, a rebellious cry that he was sufiering less, and should
not see she grieved at all, she went within-doors, perhaps
more vivacious in her gayety than ever.
®*^^'
CHAPTER XVIII.
PRAIRIE-COMBE.
' Just where the woodland met the flowery surf of the prairie."
EVANGELINB.
OWN, Leo, down ! So ! Quiet, sir !"
Leo's companion, whom he had deserted to
bound back at the sound of slow-treading hoofs
behind, started at that voice, and a quick flush overspread
her face. But before the new-comer had ridden up, and
now flung himself from his horse, walking at her side, she
had subdued the blush to an almost imperceptible height-
ening of color.
"On your way back to camp, Mr. Erie?" she asked,
quickly. .
"Yes. We march at dawn to-morrow. Yes" — as a
sudden movement betrayed her surprise — "you did not
stay up yonder in the library long enough to hear that fact
confided to my aunt and Miss Matoaca."
" And you have paused here to say good-bye," she said,
in a slow forced tone, after a moment, during which she
had stooped to gather a spray of the crimson phlox which
floated on the waves of verdure in her pathway, and which
now, as with averted head she twined it carelessly in her
dark braids, might seem to have stolen from her cheek its
every trace of wonted bloom.
" No. I return this evening for a few hours."
II
242 RAXDOLPH HOKOB.
Xot one word more broke upon the silence. The glossy
chestnut following his master's steps had thrust his head
between the two, and the girl had laid her hand upon his
flowing mane. Ruthven Erie's grasp fell slowly from the
slackened bridle, and now rested very near those small
white fingers, yet not touching them. For that ring glit-
tered there in the evening sunshine, and for one instant he
marked it shining steadily. Thus they walked on, she with
lowered lashes, but he with gaze fronting steadfastly the
boundless western horizon, and gathering strength and
firmness moment by moment as he bared his uplifted brow
to the freshening breeze. The deep-set dark-blue eyes were
fronting determinedly the near parting and the future's
after blankness, and the calm of fixed resolve had set the
mouth's fine curves.
Months had gone by since the journey through the
Arkansas swamp, and during their frequent intercourse he
had never once given her word, nor, as she thought, look,
denoting one feeling or one memory lingering of that time.
Never before this evening had he sought her alone — never
before, thus walked with her. And yet faith in his great
love had grown upon her more and more. But seldom
intruded those former doubts, remembrance of Amy's
faithless wooer, or thought of Matoaca's — although Matoaca
indeed he had sought unreservedly. Still, Fadette often
felt there was a consciousness of her own presence even
when he neither turned nor spoke — a guardianship, she
sometimes thought, a tender sympathy, and a strength he
willed to inspire into her fainting spirit, by which she bore
up bravely, with never a sign of faltering.
3Ionths had gone by, over a journey to Little Rock, a
sojourn there, and a long and weary, perilous and exciting
march in the wake of the Missouri cavalrv, to that o-allant
band's own State. Here at last the wanderers from
RANDOLPH HONOR. 243
*' Beauregard" had found rest, guided by young Thorne to
a familiar neighborhood, south of the Missouri, in a locality
heretofore undisturbed. Mrs. Rutledge was comfortably
installed in a retired country mansion, whence she could
visit the yet somewhat distant St. Louis prison, with more
security than if she had resided in the city.
And to-morrow was to sever the last link to the loved
Confederacy — to leave them strangers in a strange land.
For to-morrow the dashing " Light Horse" was to take up
the line of march again for the armies of the South.
Fadette went on downcast and flushed, and took no note
of the evening and the scene around. But before Ruthven
Erie, to whose resolute struggle had for the time followed
a great calm, they spread with soothing influence. The
prairie-grass, through which he waded on knee-deep,
stretched out illimitable as a shoreless ocean from the
mountain-spur behind, round which the two had just passed
on. It surged and rippled with a tidal swell and murmur,
in the onward sweep of the west wind. Each gust rufiled
those green billowy undulations, tossing out for a moment
lono: broken lines of ffold and scarlet flowers, like the level
sunset rays which now were blending with them. And as
overhead rolled on the white, the dusky, and the golden-
flaming evening clouds, their shadows pictured on the prairie
the white-crested sun-flashing rolling ridges, the darksome,
deep, engulfing hollows, of tempestuous seas. Li the sink-
ing fall and lull, from time to time, the hum of gaudy
insects innumerable passed from bloomy tuft to tuft. Then
came the chirrup of bright-hued birds westward winging
their way to the mountains or to the tiny groves, which
seemed to float, far-sprinkled wooded islets, on the heaving
breast of ocean. Above for a moment the prairie-hawk
flapped his broad pinions, and swooped a shadow over. A
deer grazing in the distance reared his graceful head, in-
244 RAyDOLPII IIOXOR
qairingly above the waving sedges, and then bounded
fleetly back to his leafy covert on the hillside. And silence
brooded deeper. Gorgeous masses, brilliant canopies, and
purple piles of sunset wafted slowly by, or melted away as
a di-eam. The skies were cooling to neutral tints merging
on the clear gray-blue, where the white moon, so long
hanging tlicre unshapen, began to lighten forth her bow.
Fadette raised her head.
" I must go now. Leo will guard — " she began.
But the sentence remained unfinished. That sudden
lifting of the lashes had surprised Ruthven Erie's gaze,
which for many moments had been dwelling on her face.
It lingered yet an instant, and then he turned back with
her, superseding Leo, he said, as far as the prairie's edge,
in order to say one last Avord, since he might not see her
alone again.
He left the chestnut to her sole guidance now, folding his
arms across his breast while he spoke.
That last word was all of advice and warning. He told
her how the responsibility, of thought for the welfare of the
family must now devolve on her, since " our aunt's" life
was bounded in the distant prison, and she had neither
time nor strength for aught beyond, while Matoaca
Vaughan would naturally hesitate to assume authority.
He explained minutely the business arrangements which he
had made secretly through Harry Thome's uncle and county
friends, and the management of the steady income to be
drawn from the neighboring bank. Finally, he dwelt
seriously upon the perils here surrounding " rebels," and
the extreme caution in word and deed which was requisite
for their security.
" Have I alarmed you ?" he said, meeting her wistful
eyes with a smile. " Yet I know the will-o'-the-wisp, who
has flitted hither and thither at her own wild will all her
BANDOLPU HONOB. 245
bright young life, can and will at need steady her wayward
light into a beacon. Now, little friend, I must have your
promise not to forget, in your new care for others, that you
are very dear to many, and that I must answer it to your
two guardians that the j^recious trust which has devolved
on me be rendered safely back. Will you take these duties
as a pledge of confidence from me ? And remember, when
our path is toilsome, sharp, and cruel, and every onward
step is marked with blood drawn from our very fainting
hearts — yet when our strength is sinking, He will then up-
hold. And to struggle on unswervingly, surely that shall
bring a man peace at the last."
He bent his head reverently at these words. Fadette's
tears were streaming fast, for she felt that they were spoken
at the end for his own struggling spirit. She dashed the
drops away, and turned to look at him. How her heart
throbbed as^ainst the coldness she dared not foresjo ! For
she recognized him so above her girlish ideal hero, in his
strength, his unwavering rectitude of purpose, the tender-
ness mingling with that stern, self-sacrificing firmness,
which dared unshrinkingly the martyrdom of hopes that
she felt in her inmost soul were the very life of his happi-
ness. But Lionel seemed to stand between as she looked —
seemed to stand, with his flashing black eyes, his regular
features, the brilliant dark coloring of his face, his graceful
lithe figure — beside this man, whose dark sombrero sliaded
features too strongly marked for beauty, and whose athletic
frame in tlie battle-worn gray spoke fess of grace than
power. Was this a man to yield to Lionel ?
But she hushed the clamoring thought, for he would
have it so. And she said only —
• " I will remember !"
They were nearing the edge of tlie prairie. Crags and
wooded precipices of the mountain spur towered up
246 RANDOLPH IIOXOR
abruptly on the riirlit, st)*etchiii<j^« away to the southeast.
And ill front, along the jtrairie, undulated fields and orchard
closes, for i)erlia]>s half a mile, when the range made a bend
around, encircling, and stretching thence northward along
the prairie. It was an isolated spot. Despite the danger
of intercourse with rebels, Kuthven Erie felt at liberty to
loiter here beside Fadette. For the grassy road at the foot
of the crags led only to that white villadike cottage nest-
ling fronting the prairie's A'erge, where those huge old
blossoming locilsts and lindens threw light shadows on the
lawn's green level and flowery shrubbery. Full barns and
windmill to the left, and pink and white orchard to the
rear, with cultivated fields that sloped richly upward to the
mountains closing in behind, betokened peace and plenty.
"I think I am leaving you in a haven of quiet," Kuth-
ven Erie said, as he j^aused, to make Leo guardian for the
last quarter of a mile. He could discern through the vines
that clambered there, two dark figures pacing to and fro
upon the piazza, and the white dresses of little Janet and
Lily flitting at play in and out among the roses on the
lawn, while the old Mammy, the only one of the servants
who had accom^Danied the Beauregard wanderers, watched
over them.
But as he paused, the taller of the two figures upon the
piazza had disappeared.
Presently a man emerged from the trees, advancing rai>-
idly. Ruthven Erie bent an earnest scrutinizing gaze
upon him. For the appearance of one who did not wear
the gray was no good omen. But he stood his gTound, for
were it friend or foe, he was already seen. Fadette was
stroking in leave-taking the beautiful war-horse, rubbing
his head against her shoulder, and she saw nothing, until
a near step caused her to look behind her toward the
house.
RANDOLPH HONOR 241
Ruthven Eric, as the new-comer approached, had started,
and withdraAvn somewhat, his hat pressed down over his
brows. But Fadette did not observe, only with a glad cry
of astonishment sprang forward.
" My guardian ! My dear guardian !"
Ruthven Erie, watching, saw that every trace of melan-
choly was fled. The eyes were bright with joy which they
alone could utter, the sweet lips were wreathed in smiles,
and the flush of pleasure rose in her cheek. Both the little
clinging hands were in his, and her smile was softest when
for one instant his arm drew her close.
But when the eyes which searched the guardian's face,
as fearing change, brimmed over with sudden tears, noting
the ravages confinement, want, and anxiety had made, and
the gray lines threading here and there the dark hair —
when with a quick impulse of loving sympathy the girl
bowed her warm cheek upon the wasted hand — then Ruth-
ven Erie turned aside with a muttered self-scornful " Fool !"
And the crimson flower which a while ago she had dropped,
and he unseen had lifted from the grass, now fell, crushed,
from his hold, and he set his heel upon it.
After a moment, Mr. Randolph looked toward Fadette's
companion. Fadette, it was evident, had completely for-
gotten his presence.
"Pardon me. Sir, for thus interrupting your walk," he
began.
But Mr. Erie advanced, extending his hand.
"Perhaps," he said, removing his hat, "Mr. Randolph
may still remember Ruthven Erie, as Ruthven Erie may
never forget Mr. Randolph's more than generosity."
Fadette stared in amazement while the two gentlemen
met, cordially as old friends. But she had hardly time for
wonder, before Mr. Erie addressed himself to her :
" ' God forgive you — I cannot. You have taken away
248 RANDOLPH HOXOR.
the escape I planned for him,' " he said, quoting her own
words, very low, but with a quiet composure which might
seem to brave them to the full.
She stood speechless, less astonished at the revelation
than at her own blindness. A thousand memories rushed
upon her. But not one of that anger she had more than
once expressed, and of that bitter prejudice she had
thought never to be forgotten. She remembered hoAV
often her light words must have seemed like taunts, and
with what indulgence he had borne them. She heard, as
though not hearing, the conversation of the gentlemen, and
it scarcely caught her attention, when her guardian said,
at last, that he would gladly join the southward march
upon the morrow, though, the Confederacy reached, he
purposed crossing the Mississippi and thence to Virginia,
to enter his brother's regiment.
Then Mr. Erie, with the promise of a return in a few
hours, took his leave.
He was passing Fadette with a bow. But she put out
her hand hurriedly.
" Good-bye, Mr] Erie."
It was all the lips uttered. But the eyes, lifted beseech-
ingly to his, spoke more. In truth, the kind stranger of the
St. Nicholas was more present to her mind, than one who
had intervened between her guardian and freedom.
He waited until she, her hands clasped over her guar-
dian's arm, was moving toward the cottage. Then he
stooped, and raised that mangled flower from the trampled
sod, flung himself upon his horse, and in an instant more
was galloping at wild speed across the prairie.
They did not enter the low gate, but paced up and down
without, where the boughs of the tall seringas and the
roses trailed beyond the wire-fence in an archway, above a
narrow path, scarcely worn in the grass. Fadette walked
RANDOLPH HONOR. 2 t9
on in an indistinct dream, and was hardly conscious of a
thought. But at every turn her ghmce still followed the
waving of Kuthven Erie's dark plume, until it suddenly
struck off to that gap in the mountain-range. Her com-
panion had been drinking in the beauty, the deep peace
and comfort of the scene. And he now spoke almost as
Ruthven Erie had spoken.
" Well, my little girl, I leave you in a haven of tran-
quillity."
She started, recalled by the sound of his voice.
"But, my dear guardian, you are not really going?
And so soon ? Are you quite sure you are strong enough ?"
she said, wistfully regarding him, and struck pale by the
view of his wan and haggard countenance.
" Quite sure. I am not ill at all, only somewhat worn
with captivity,'' he replied lightly to her anxious glance.
" I must go with your Missouri friends, because the under-
ground railway, in my experience, is no very practicable
route. Years ago," he resumed after a pause, " beside the
branching hedge, w^here the bay beneath rolled shoreward,
like this prairie, and the lull of evening was on all — the
last time your arm rested thus in mine, Fadette — you
had eager messages for Lionel. And what shall they be
now r'"^
Hot blushes surged so fast that they took away the power
of utterance. She looked up hurriedly. He Avas smiling
down upon her. But in her agitation she could not mark
the profound melancholy of that smile, and it only seemed
to mock the anguish he could not, and must not, under-
stand. She burst into a passion of tears, and hid her foce
afirainst her irnardian's shoulder, as in the troubles of her
childhood she had been wont to do.
But no strong arm drew her protectingly closer now ; no
deep voice soothed her, while she cried with bitter sobs —
250 RANDOLPn HOXOR.
" Oh, if I might but see Lionel — but see him once again !
It is so long, so long to wait I" .
It was the conviction of the moment, that since she could
thus have changed, Lionel might hardly be the same — tliat
in some way, some ha^ipy way, Lionel himself would break
those shackles so entering into her soul, and set her free,
and set himself free gladly too. But it was so long, so long
to wait, she moaned again.
In more than the weakness of his long imprisonment,
Mr. Randolph's right hand grasped the fence against which
he stood. A hea^-y cloud gloomed on his brow ; but it was
forced away before Fadette regained her calmness with a
struggle. And with deep, tiiie tenderness, he dwelt upon
the younger brother — with that unshaken Randolph honor,
stablished on the rock of a heart unmoved by all the
shocks of that fortune wliich had swept away the outward
tyj^e — the old ancestral Randolph Honor. Fadette's
lieart seemed to flint and die, and lie all heavy and cold
beneath her hand ; and her downcast face grew paler in the
twilight, when the guardian, to whom she still as of old
looked up as to unwavering though indulgent rectitude,
spoke of Lionel's fate in her keeping, and of the earnest faith
she owed him — faith easier in the rendering, he continued,
because from childhood she had known him well, and —
" Loved him I" Fadette almost gasped, in an accent
that did not sound bitter, only because it was so hardly
audible.
She walked on, benumbed with the aching sense of those
chains she knew now that she could never dare to cast
aside.
That night, when Ruthven Erie had bad^ farewell to his
aunt and to Matoaca in the cottage library, Fadette parted
from him there with a light touch of the hand, and turned
away to cling to Mr. Randolph and sob her grief out on
RANDOLPH HONOR. 251
his shoiikler. While Kuthvcn passed out abruptly to the
lawn, leaning in silence on his horse's neck, his hand clenched
on the spot where hers had so lately rested.
Weeks after, on a far Virginia camping-ground, the
elder brother calmly recounted to the younger the story of
Fadette's tears. And Lionel passionately echoed Fadette's
words : " It is so long, so long to wait !"
CHAPTER XIX.
THE CAYE.
" Ch'io se nel cor vi cerco, altri nol vede,
E sol mi vanto di nascosa fiamma,
E sol mi glorio di secreta fede."'
Tasso.
^HOA, Dobbin, whoa !"
The voice rang out clear and silvery through
the forest solitudes, and the slow tramp of old
Dobbin stayed, and the grating sound of the rude wood-
sledge, over the stones and through the fallen leaves, ceased.
The evening sunbeams slanted across the prairie, bound-
less to west and north, to the heights closing in here the
southeastern horizon, and towering up, wooded range on
range. The prairie, with this fringe of wood and moun-
tain, waved golden-billowed in the sunshine, and number-
less grazing herds blurred its bright surface. The cool
calm of a September evening was in tlie air, and brooded
yet deeper here beneath the Avoodland shades.
There stood old Dobbin, nothing loth to stand, while
the speaker laid one gauntleted hand upon his leanest of
lean necks, which not all the grass in those rich prairies
could fatten into the semblance of youth. A strange
driver for the raw-boned animal, that young girl who now
paused, flushed with the ascent of the steep mountain-path,
and drawing ofl" one glove, pushed back with a tiny dimpled
hand the dark hair from her temples. The broad straw-hat
hung by its ribbons loosely round her throat, and, coarse
RANDOLPH IIONOB. 253
thouc-h its home-maae plaits, looked pieturesque and co-
q uetrish, adorned with that wreath of brdUant prau-,e-
W<1^LL Her dress, of the plainest of dark-blue pnnts,
fitted exquisitely the gracefnlly rounded figure, and was
looped from contact with damp leaves and mosses over the
whitest of white skirts, revealing a dainty foot.
«Hei<vhol" she sighed, fanning herself with a branch of
hazel broken from the copse; "I wish my unknown wood-
chopper would but make his appearance, and re leve me
of the lading of the sledge. However, I ought not to
grumble, for I have had harder work in the last six months
than this. To thuik of having all our summer fuel thus cut
and stacked by invisible hands !" , ,, „
She pushed aside the branches as she spoke and tliero
as she had said, was a stack of fuel, eut so that without
great labor she had soon laid it stick by stick upon the
sled..e Then she stooped, parting a knot of clustering
bushes obscuring the opening of a hollow tree which over-
hung the cliff. . „
« Ah' here is our weekly hamper again, full as eve.
She knelt down upon the sward, and drew it forth from
the place of concealment, holding up to view, each time
with fresh delight, the sacks of flour, coffee, sugar, and the
ham, on which^for several months, in her station as house-
keeper she had been accustomed to look as the bulk of her
weeklv larder. One by one, she hid them beneath the
wood,"and was replacing the hamper, when a ring ot some-
tlung within caught her attention. A well-filled purse
dropped from her astonished hold.
A hundred dollars in shining gold pieces ! It was long,
lone, since the eager girl had touched, had counted so
much Yet when it was all counted piece by piece m her
lap, she bent over it a face in which dismay predominated
above amazement.
254 BAXDOLPn HOXOR
Her thoughts flew back, as she pondered, over the more
than year of her trust which Ruthven Erie had given. She
had not in that space once seen him, to render an account.
Faithfully and constantly had she striven, however, to fulfil
it. For the first months it was an easy task. The regular
income, well-managed, had afforded sufficient support, and
ample means for the comfort of the prisoner, who was the
first thought of every member of the household. But last
spring the isolation of the prairie-home was broken by
guerrillas banding in the mountains, and one of the num-
ber, wounded to the death, had staggered to Mrs. Rut-
ledge's door, and been tended by her that night until he
breathed his last. Since then, pillage had followed fast on
pillage, until the rebel sympathizers were laid waste in
field and byre. And bank-stock vanished, only a slender
sum might be relied on, in trust with an uncle of Harry
Thome's. But the sum was little more than that from the
beginning devoted to Mr. Rutledge. So Matoaca and Fa-
dette, with the faithful old Mammy, now sole servant, had in
concert determined to draw upon this as little as possible,
had cultivated with their own hands a garden-patch, and
economized in every possible way. Gladly would the two
girls, by any exertion, have added to their income, but this
was impossible in their lonely situation, and they were
determined to weather through the summer, at least, to-
gether. Of all this, Mrs. Rutledge knew little. Fadette
had striven, since she had assumed the household manage-
ment, to relieve her aunt's mind from the pressure of cares
other than those which must of necessity weigh upon her —
constant thought for the prisoner, and constant exertions
for his release. He was yet in close confinement, under
the unsubstantial charge of crossing arms to the Trans-
Mississippi.
' RANDOLPH HONOR. 255
Yet, reviewing this trial-time, Fadette acknowledged that
not all exertion, all economy, would have saved from utter
want, had it not been for a mysterious aid.
Vividly back upon her memory came that bright June
evening when she had strayed with Leo hither to her
wonted haunt, and had found a fairy missive, addressed to
herself, at the root of this old tree, directing her to the dark
hollow for treasure-trove. After a dinnerless day, and
with nothing to look forward to before the scanty break-
fast of the morrow, it w\as hardly surprising that she did
not thrust aside the well-filled hamper, but that she not
only made Leo assist her in carrying it home, but strictly
obeyed the reiterated injunction of absolute secrecy. Kor
was it strange that she should come again and again, at
the close of every week, as a second billet entreated, urging
that the writer was thus paying a debt w^hich weighed upon
his conscience, and which it w^as impossible otherwise to
cancel. Nearly three months had thus gone by. Provi-
sions and fuel were stored for her with unfailing regularity,
while she neither sought, nor desired to find, the clue to
the hidden donor. In her own mind, she was assured of
his identity with a false friend, who, to shield himself and
his own property, had made a scape-goat of her aunt's.
She did not draw any logical conclusions upon the subject.
But she felt that a remnant of conscience would prompt
some rendition, while her indignation, both for the wrong
and for the wrongful righting, made her loth to piit her-
self in a position to acknowledge the latter.
Meantime, there lay the gold, which not for an instant
could she think of thus receiving. Her first impulse was
to return it to the hamper, which she knew would be sought
for and replenished before another week. But should the
hitherto unmolested covert be disturbed by any means, and
256 RAXDOLPn HOyOR
the purse lost, liow could slie ever repay ? She would con-
sult Matoaca, at least, and must take the contemned lucre
home for safety.
She had put up the coins, still kneeling there with
thoughtfully bowed head and a line of care contracting
her brows.
" If I have done wrong in all these months," she said
aloud, slowly pondering, " as I begin to fear I have —
Well, well, too late to think of that. Why, Leo, you
troubled too ? And what do you think of this ? Come,
sir, your advice, if you please !"
She held the purse suspended over the dog's nose, which
he, the while lying at her feet, had rested reposefully upon
his forepaws. But when she began to speak, he had lifted
his head, and his ears erected themselves as at some sound
which she had not observed. His quick, intelligent eyes
were fixed intently upon the overhanging thicket, and -with
one snuff at the dangling purse, in utter disregard of, and
almost oversetting, his mistress, he suddenly leaped from
her side, and off, up the crag, with short sharp barks of
delight, in tlie direction of a rustling through the bushes.
" Here, Leo, Leo, where are you going ?" Fadette cried,
alarmed at the defection of her powerful protector.
But he only responded to her call by returning to her
side for one moment, and then bounding away again as
before. She stood an instant irresolute. Then, her curiosity
excited by the dog's strange behavior, she followed.
Pushing through the dense undergrowth, she went on
and on, seeing nothing save the rustling of the boughs which
the dog in his rapid movements displaced, hearing nothing
save his eager panting and her own hurried breatliino;.
Xow the animal left the more open crag on which she
had stood, overlooking the prairie, and penetrated deeper
and deeper into the recesses of the mountain. How far
RANDOLPH HONOR. 257
they had gone Fadette knew not. But fear began to get
the better of curiosity, and she stood still, calling once
more upon Leo, Leo, of whom she had lost sight.
A crashing of the branches followed on her call, and Leo
reappeared. But he only stayed to rub his head against
her extended hand. He was oif again as before, with so
piteous a whine, that she could not but follow, even when
presently he couched down among a clump of bushes, and
whined there till she approached. Then she saw him
twist and turn himself through what appeared to be a
narrow aperture between two rocks. She hesitated ; but,
more interested than ever, and confiding in the intelligence
of her conductor, she followed with difficulty, crouching
through the aperture, near enough always to touch with
outstretched hand the shaggy coat of her conductor, who
thus preceded her into danger, if danger there was. But,
truth to tell, her fears had scarcely a form, and excitement
predominated over them. When on a sudden her eyes,
accustomed to the darkness of the passage, were dazzled
by a glare of light.
When in her fright she could observe, she sav»^ that that
light was flaring from a blazing pine-torch held aloft by a
figure in the far end of the cave — for cave it was into which
she had thus entered. " Leo, Leo," she called, in tones
suffocated with terror. But Leo had deserted her, was
leaping on the stranger in an ecstasy of frantic joy. And
the stranger — yes, he actually was coming toward her.
Blind with fear, she turned and groped for the passage by
which she had come. But she sank dowm, daring not to
venture into its narrow intricacies, and so turn her back
upon the unknown. Cowering there, her head buried on
her knees, she awaited with every misgiving that approach.
It was of no ordinary mortal presence that, she thought.
That strange misshapen figure suggested to her rather
258 BAXDOLPH IIOXOR
wild alarms of dwarf and brownie, and the mildest that
occurred to her memory was Elshie of Mucklestane 3Ioor.
Till now she almost felt the light of the torch flaring upon
her bowed head, and the footsteps stayed before her. Just
then something cold touched her hand. With a wild
shriek she started up. Only Leo — who now laid his head
on her knee, yet one instant looking up with a joyful whine
to the figure before her. She too summoned courage to look.
Truly no dwarf, no brownie, no canny Elshie — but a
poor harmless idiot hunchback, whom Fadette had
met some two or three times in her rambles, and with
whom Leo had from the first struck up an afiectionate
acquaintance.
Fadette rose, smiling at her fears. And yet she could
not repress a. quick shiver of something between dread and
repugnance when she stood facing this strange being in the
torch-lit darkness and solitude of the cavern. The red
flame flickered u]X)n rugged walls of rock, and roof that
stooped low and irregularly above her, sometimes shelving
to within a few feet of the ground, sometimes vaulted to
a considerable height. The cave's breadth was slioht,
but it would seem that in length it extended further into
the mountain, since the torch failed to strike a ray against
any wall in that direction. This might have been once the
subterranean bed of a mountain stream, which through the
entrance -aperture had forced its way, and which some
freak of Nature had now shut out from all return, veiling
the passage with her densest of green screens. Yet, chil-
lingly dismal as was this cave, there were signs of habita-
tion. Li one corner a pair of coarse blankets were folded
one upon the other ; on a rocky table were the remains of
a repast ; and against the wall there leaned a fowling-piece.
In an instant Fadette had marked all this, and with
awakened curiosity she scrutinized the probable hermit.
RAXDOLPH HONOR. 259
He was a man upon whose age it was difficult to speculate,
but whom most would have pronounced as past youth, so
haggard was the countenance but partially seen beneath
the shadowy slouched hat, and which the long black un-
kempt hair and beard rendered still more weird and salvage.
The hand which upheld the torch was certainly well-shapen,
but observation seldom went beyond the uncouth grotesquc-
ness of the figure. Fadette's could not now. Her eyes
dropped ; though, reassured by a gentle gleam of his dark
ones, her heart beat less heavily. She was just pondering
on retreat, and wondering whether Leo might not be made
rear-guard, when the dog's cold nose again was laid upon
her hand. Only just laid there, for anon he bounded off,
and leaped caressingly upon the motionless hunchback.
Fadette grew more and more amazed in view of her
rough pet's wild conduct. Again and again would he
return, just touch her fingers, and spring aw^ay to fawn
upon the stranger. That sage old Leo should so suddenly
be losing his sagacity was, to her respect for it, incom-
prehensible. And she paused, her attention fixed closely
upon him.
" The purse, the purse !" she cried after a moment, be-
coming convinced that it was that, still clasped in her
hand, which the dog had scented, thus tracing it to him
who had laid it in the hollow tree. Yes, of that there
could remain no doubt — every moment the animal made it
clearer and clearer.
Fadette stood irresolute, more confused than ever, in the
effort to reconcile the wretched being before her, and that
drear abode, with the hamper and the shining coins.
Presently it flashed across her mind that it was iK)t as
donor, but as emissary, that the hunchback had touched
the purse. What more possible, to say the least, than that
her aunt's false friend should choose a messenger incapaci
200 nAxnoLPu iioxob.
tated by nature from betraying, as his employer had
betrayed ? Acting on the impulse, she held out the purse
toward him. If she were rash, she said to herself, she had
a diamond brooch, sole relict of her jewel-casket, which,
though she valued it as her guardian's gift, must go to
replace this money, should it be lost, as she would ere long
contrive to ascertain.
" I will put this purse again into the hamper," she said
slowly and impressively, recollecting she had heard that
idiots have, iii parrot-style, remembered and repeated mes-
sages. " Go you, and tell him who sent you with it, he
shall pay his debt as before, and not with gold."
Looking on him intently, she seemed to catch one gleam
of intelligence in the dark eyes which met her own. But
the next instant they were lowered from hers, an insensate
blankness passed over the countenance, and an incoherent
jumbling of unmeaning words was muttered forth — mildly
and good-naturedly, however — tlirough the heavy beard.
Fadette was relieved from her lingering doubt, while still
the purse was in her power. For when she and Leo had
passed out into the twilight air again, a hasty step behind
showed that they were followed. Fadette succeeded in re-
taining her canine escort, and passed on rapidh\ As she
came in view of her oaken storehouse, she saw the hunch-
back near it, stoop, and drawing the hamper from conceal-
ment, unhesitatingly advance to her, holding the lid back.
L'nhesitatingly she dropped the purse within. And he
shouldered the burden, and turned back on his path.
She pursued hers, wending homeward with old Dobbin,
all the lighter that she did not bear that purse's weight.
And that it may be lifted finally from this page — Fadette
on the ensuing "hamper-day" received, in the feigned
handwriting of her first billet, an acknowledgment of the
rendition.
CHAPTER XX.
A LEAP IN THE DARK.
" There are currents that flash through the spirit, and crash
Like the clouds on the air,
While the visor is closed and the frame looks composed
As as infant at prayer ;—
Storms that come from a stir or a breath or a sigh,
To drag out of the Past
Shapes of passion abjured, and of outrage endured,"
A. J. Requier.
XOTHER week went by. Another sunset of lam-
bent glow was flooding the vast and lone expanse
of prairie, when homeward, down the mountain-
side, plodded old Dobbin again, with his sledge of fuel and
provisions. The rude ro^je-reins hung loosely on Fadette's
arm, as she walked on beside the ancient gray. Yet the
task of guiding that meditative sage might seem to have
devolved upon the hunchback, who followed close behind,
and who, as now and then she turned to observe him, with
uncouth yet friendly gestures urged on the animal, mutter-
ing the while incoherent phrases and snatches of wild song.
This harmless creature for months had crossed her path,
seemingly as attached and as faithful as his demonstrative
friend Leo, now fawning at his side. Mysterious agent of
her mysterious supj^lies, he to-day had himself loaded her
sledge,
and was now following, as if to guard her home.
Yet Fadette could never look upon him without an inward
shudder, and a shrinking which she had not always taken
care to repress, until she once caught, beneath the broad
2.52 RAyDOLPH HOyOR.
black hat always pressed low upon his brows, a pained
gleam of the dark eyes. That at once placed the innocent
nearer the level of humanity, and mingled something of
tender pity in her manner. Notwithstanding the natural
repulsion of his aspect, since he had more than once, after
the- cave adventure, joined Leo in her rambles at the close
of the day's toil, she had speedily learned to regard him as
a lawful unobtrusive retainer, like Leo, and to feel addi-
tional protection in his presence.
Therefore she walked on leisurely, while twilight shades
were gathering in. Round the precipitous angle, the not
distant walls of the cottage were visible between foliage
which had yet begun scarcely to manifest a faint yellow
tinge of autumn. Fadette noted with a passing sadness
the desolate aspect of untrimmed and overgrown lawn,
orchard broken down and stripped of fruit, and fields be-
yond, where weeds run riot. But it was an aspect to which
months had inured her, and presently she had stooped to
the tall grass rustling round and closing on her footsteps,
and had gathered among it a rich handful of the lingering
prairie-flowers. Among these, as she arranged and re-
arranged the brilliant hues, she espied a tuft of that ubi-
quitous weed, of golden heart and snowy petals, by cour-
tesy yclept daisy. And as she had often done at Randolph
Honor and at " Beauregard," she forthwith essayed to do
here at Prairie-Combe — that is, to consult Dairue Fortune at
the oracle which Goethe renders classic. So, like his Mar-
garet, she stripped off leaflet by leaflet, and tossed them to
the wind. " He loves me" — " he loves me not" — " he
loves me I" The first blossom had proved i^ropitious, and
she began by a second to test the truth of its weird.
It would seem she had full fiiith in the oracle, for her
eyes brightened, and her color deepened to a blush tinging
even the blue-veined temples, while the lips which so softly
RANDOLPH HONOR. 203
formed the words, quivered somewhat, and so quivered into
flist-flitting smiles. Pacing there absorbed, her head bent
over her fote-flower, she was unconscious of the hunch-
back's near approach, and of the stealthy gaze he fastened
on her face. The flash of those shaded eyes, in other than
the idiot's countenance, would have been eloquent of eager
breathless hope, of fear, and doubt, and passionate tender-
ness. Yet had Fadette caught the expression, she would
have judged it but another of those fantastic pranks of
Nature, by which the most pitiful of her creations may lift
our thoughts one moment —
" the true Pan,
Who by low creatures, leads to heights of love."
The gaze was unseen. Leo's friend fell back, when other
hoof-beats mingled with Dobbin's, and through the grass
another horse pushed on. His rider sprang to the ground
almost at Fadette's side. She turned suddenly at the
sound, the mutilated daisy in the act of further dismem-
berment, and the audible " he loves me," yet upon her lips.
" And who is it that loves you ?" were Ruthven Erie's
first words, as she stood still, and with a faint cry of joy
unspeakable yielded her hand to his firm clasp.
'She stole a quick glance up into his eyes. They Avere
resting upon her face with such a full deep sense of perfect
repose and content, that intuitively she knew they had
yearned for that vision through all this more than year.
Her blushes came fast and faster, and she had answered
nothing, had not even uttered a syllable of greeting, Avhen
he drew her arm within his, and they walked slowly home-
ward thus together.
Many were the questions to which she must now reply.
And for the first time she, with deprecating, timid glances,
confided the secret of the hollow oak. But though there
264 RAXDOLPU UOXOR.
his brows contracted one instant, the next he had hut
smiles and commendations, and assertion of his full faith in
his little trustee.
The hunchback followed, unheeded, to the gate. Mo-
ment by moment his brow lowered, as he watched the two,
who, with no word, no glance of love that passed the guard
thus placed on eyes and lips, yet went on thus together as
if their steps through life were destined to wend ever side
by side. Now his nether lip was compressed, and his hand,
which rested on Leo's shaggy head, clenched so violently,
that the animal, with a low growl, looked round in search
of the disturber of his friend's tranquillity. Ruthven Erie
was at that moment saying, that now he was here to ar-
range those woful money-matters, she should no longer
be dependent upon the precarious bounty of any dryad of
the oaks.
One ray of something akin to joy had for an instant
illumined the dark watching face. Ruthven Erie had fixed
on him a scrutinizing gaze, and then turned to the young
girl, asking who her singular escort might be. The harsh
word " idiot" had faltered upon Fadette's lips, and she had
substituted —
" An — innocent, as kindly Scots would say. Indeed you
do not know, Mr. Erie, how much I am indebted to him.
He seems almost of right my protector — like dear old Leo
here."
And so they reached the gate.
" Oh, Missy, Missy !"
" What is it. Mammy ?" cried Fadette, starting up
alarmed, a*S the faithful old woman unceremoniously threw
open her chamber-door.
It was nearly two hours since the inmates of Prairie-
Combe had parted for the night, yet Fadette had not
RANDOLPH HONOR. 205
sought repose, but had sunk back in her easy-chair, still
dressed. Her eyes closed to the feeble glimmer of her low
lamp ; bright waking dreams were flitting through her
mind so fast, that she was unconscious" of the lapse of
time.
"Soldiers, honey — the house all surrounded. Captain
say he must have feed for the horses right away. Whar
Mars' Ruthven ? He'll be done took now sure — "
"The dark lantern. Mammy — quick!" Fadette inter-
rupted, springing up. "Your Mars' Ruthven is not in
the house, but sleeping in the barn-loft. I have the key
here, and we will — yes, we will save him ! Get the lan-
tern, and we will go up ourselves and throw down the oats
required. I'll awake Miss Janet, and meet you at the
door."
She stood very composedly upon the piazza steps,
answering the armed men below, with some feeling of
security, even while their bayonets flashed out from time
to time in the moonbeams struggling through drifting
clouds. For her two protectors, Leo and the hunchback,
were close beside her, the latter curbing the low growling
anger of his companion by a hand laid on his head. The
soldiers were sufiiciently civil, the captain even going so
far as to express an apologetic regret for this midnight
intrusion, rendered unavoidable, as he explained, by a long
march since sunset, and the necessity for repose and re-
freshment until dawn. For there was important service
to be accomplished in the coming day, he said with some
importance.
Fadette's lip curled, even as it paled. But she returned
answer graciously enough, for she felt that only by so
doing would she be permitted to do the honors of the barn-
loft. Therefore, when the lantern appeared, Fadette's
proposal met with no objection.
' 12
236 BASDOLPn HOXOR.
" Come, Mammy," said Fadette, taking the light from
her hand.
But as the hunchback made a movement as if he too
would follow, and Leo bounded foi-T\'ard to her side, she
turned hastily, whispering —
" No — stay — your Miss Janet or Miss Matoaca may need
you. I think I hear them coming down even now. And
oh, Mammy, have a care of the silver spoons," she added
yet lower.
Rapidly, yet curbing her impatient gait to the pace of
the soldiers, about fifty in number, who led their horses
trampling after, she crossed the lawn, and reached the
barn, which stood upon the prairie's verge.
As she turned the ponderous key in the lock her hand
trembled, and for an instant she leaned there powerless.
What if she could not deter the men from following ?
What if she should thus be opening the door the sooner to
his foes ? Yet at the worst, she might suddenly extinguish
the light, and so aftbrd a slender chance of escape in the
confusion. At all events, the door must be opened. The
necessity nerved her to push it wide on creaking hinges
before her hesitation was observed. ^
Her timid plea of waste and trampling of the grain was
admitted, and, with the hunchback, she received permission
to mount the ladder to the loft, while the men remained
Avithout. Poor Leo whined remonstratingly when she
stationed him on guard at the ladder's foot, bidding him
lie down, and pointing to the doors, that had now swung
to, in token that he was to watch. But as she would not
relent, he resignedly couched down, dropped his muzzle on
his paws, and fixed a vigilant eye in the direction which
she signified.
She held aloft the lantern on gaining the high-raftered
loft, spacious enough to have contained stores heaped on
BANDOLPII HONOR. 2(i7
stores, instead of this scant supply, which ill-conditioned
Dobbin might visibly have reduced in one day of plenty.
The light flared full upon the hay, which was piled close
beside the long, broad window or doorway, from which, as
if for air, the shutter had been withdrawn. And there,
upon that fragrant couch, lay Ruthven Erie, outstretched
in deep unbroken slumber.
Fadette drew near, turning the dark side of the lantern
so that those who waited beneath the window might see
nothing.
He had evidently thrown himself down there, to rise pre-
pared for any surprise. The arm on which his head was
pillowed, had hardly even in sleep relaxed its hold of a
pistol, and his hat lay close beside. Yet though danger
was present to him, dreams were not of it, for as she knelt
there, shielding him from the window, a smile passed over
his face. She laid a light touch on the hand flung across
his breast, for she feared to rouse him suddenly, lest in the
waking by some hasty movement he might disclose himself,
in Confederate uniform as he was, to those below.
" Mr. Erie !" she called softly—" Mr. Erie !"
The eyes opened on her for an instant, dreamful still, and
the hand closed firmly upon hers.
" My darling ! my little one ! at last — at last — " he mur-
mured. And then the words died away in indistinct ut-
terance, and again the regular breathing told of a sleep un-
broken.
Fadette blushed crimson. But a dark face looking down
over her shoulder as she knelt, turned ghastly pale. There
was a strange gleam of the eyes, and the white set teeth for
one moment flashed out in a grim smile through the heavy
black beard.
" At last — at last !" he muttered. " And at last I will —
nay, I will — have my revenge !"
268 RAXDOLPH JIOXOR.
He had taken one step toward the window, with that
baleful glare as of a goaded lion. But the movement
roused Fadette.
She put out her hand and touched his, clenched until the
nails had pierced the flesh. Her uplifted eyes were dazed
with fast-coming tears, Avhich pleaded with her words :
" Ah, go, go — throw them out — there, there is a spade —
these oats. Quick, quick — one moment for life ! Ah, if
you love me — poor fellow, he understands — will he do it ?
One moment to save him, my — Lionel, Lionel, God knows
I would be true to you !"
She almost gasped the last words out, bending over the
slumberer again, and almost forgetful of her prayer to the
hunchback. But he, who had stood irresolute, sprang for-
ward even as she ended. And the first spadeful of oats
passed, on its downward way, the vociferous rising clamor
for the cause of delay.
A second attempt, and then a third, and Ruthven Erie's
eyes again opened — this time roused slowly into a long earn-
est gaze of anxious surprise. Fadette did not give him
space to speak.
" Armed men below," she whispered. Stay — you must
move cautiously — they will else see you from the window.
What shall I do ? They are here to feed the horses, and
when all the oats and hay are thrown to them, they will
hardly believe me, but will mount, no doubt, to see for
themselves. Tell me what to do, Mr. Erie !"
" Why, yonder is a pile of oats sufficient."
" Ah, but all damaged."
" Listen, then," he said quickly. " Bid your squire of
dames toss down some of the damaged oats, and when they
will grumble, do you request them to go round to the op-
posite side of the barn, whence you must lavish the good
grain. A leap in the dark is my only hope of escape. Of
RANDOLPH HONOR. 2G9
course they will hear me, but, once upon the ground— they
are all dismounted, you say ?— it is but man to man, and
the odds in my favor, I being remarkably fleet-footed, while
they must lose time in confusion. But should the worst
come to the worst"— he hastily drew forth a package of
papers—" you shall take these. If any thing happens—
nay, there will not, my little friend — destroy them. But I
shall return in a few days to claim them, as they are army
papers of importance. Where am I going ? Why, the
gallant little guerrilla squad under whose wing I am re-
cruiting at present would be swallowed up by this force, so
w^e will change our camp for — "
The name was audible only to her, while the hvmch-
back, who unbidden had already tossed down several
spadefuls of the damaged grain, might have seemed to
pause an instant to hear. Just then a curse w^as returned
in exchange for the bad provender. And Fadette called
out —
" Gentlemen, I fear the oats here are damaged. If you
will go round to the opposite side of the barn — "
A trampling of horses and of men, a ringing of sabres
and of carbines, and the coast was clear.
Ruthven Erie sprang to his feet, as Fadette rose, in her
breathless anxiety entirely forgetful that all this while he
had not relaxed" the clasp of her hand. The hunchback,
still pauselessly shovelling out the grain, cast a glance over
his misshapen shoulder, as the two stood for a moment
there together.
ISTo, not one word of love in this parting full of agony.
Only one closer pressure of the hand before he let it fall
helplessly to her side— only one long gaze in the great
startled eyes that never wavered from his— a husky voice,
which immediately he nerved to cheerfulness, saying :
" Courage !— and God bless my little friend !"
2V0 RAXDOLPU IIOXOR
He swung himself lightly from the window — a heavy,
dull thud followed.
Fadette had just strength and thought enough to stagger
to the window in view of the men, as they started at the
sound. And with one long piercing shriek, she fell heavily
to the floor, in a deep swoon.
That shriek brought numbers thronging up the ladder.
And the two or three who had seen and pursued the fugi-
tive, were easily eluded and distanced in their confusion.
Fadette had instantly been lifted in the strong arms of
the hunchback, and they pressed the slight form closer and
closer, while passionate kisses were showered upon lips and
brow, and low words of longing tenderness were murmured.
But before the foremost soldier had gained the loft, and
Matoaca and Mrs. Rutledge, followed by the terrified ser-
vant, with both children in her charge, won their way
through the crowd, the idiot hunchback had withdrawn,
gibbering and pointing with incoherent words at the pros-
trate girl.
When she unclosed her eyes, they met her aunt bending
over her, and she heard the low whisper —
" He is sa\'^d, my child."
Xo shadow of suspicion seemed to rest on the girl, as she
confirmed the story of those men who had seen the fugitive,
and thus accounted for her terror.
CHAPTER XXI.-
Alf AUTO DA FE.
' The old thorns shall grow out of the old stem."
Christina Rossetti.
JADETTE lounged in her chamber- window early in
the night ensuing. She gazed out, across the
" tangle-wild" lawn to the far-spread prairie, where
rolled and wavered and swept on those billowy drifts of
white-foam mists, here and there tinged golden in the moon-
light, and tossed downward from the mountains in the
southward distance.
The day had been a quiet one, the soldiery departing
with the dawn, and no trace of them or of the bushwhackers,
of whom they were doubtless in pursuit. iSTo word, either,
of Mr. Erie. But Fadette was confident of his having long
since reached the guerrilla band, and all pressure of inime-
diate anxiety was over.
As she lounged there, the prairie narrowed, in her vision,
to a leafy rock-intrenched covert — such a covert as the par-
tisan comrades must even now be resting in. The lines
which Amy had repeated in "Swamp Angels' Rest,"
seemed intended for the scene before her, and for that on
which imaojination was now dwellino^. For though indee<l
no dreamful lake lay there, yet silvered mists were sleep-
ing like a flood with grasses streaming on its bosom, and
the heavens in the shadowy night were stooping low to
earth :
272 EAXDOLPII IIOXOR ^
And there, wliere the boughs stir apart in the gloaming-,
Moving drowsily back for dreams going and coming,
They sleep — though the wood-tick is sounding alarms,
And the night-owl forebodeth — they sleep on their amis,
That band of guerrillas.
HoTrever, no flieasiired tread now shook the turf, and
if the flowers wept, they wept no tears of blood, but rather
glistening dews of tranquillity untroubled.
Fadette's tranquillity, as she leaned from the window,
"S^as broken by a movement through the shrubbery a stone's
throw from the house. There, even while her lips went on
mechanically with the murmured vei-se, her attention was
fixed. The density of branching lindens lay between, and
clouds that in the rising v\Tlnd fled fast across the moon,
gloomed also on the lawn. But when those shadows
tossed apart, and flickering beams leaped out between, she
saw, or thought she saw, a creeping something dragging
its slow dark length along in this direction. Xow it surely
lifted itself erect, an undefined form in the shelter of that
dense clump of cedars. And again it was lost to sight.
She had started up, and bent forward, yet prudently
shielding herself behind the curtains, though with a mis-
giving that this precaution came too late. The idea had
suddenly suggested itself that this might be a straggler of
the company here last night.
"\\"ith a shudder she took up the small silver-mounted
pistol which, still innocent of blood, had been so long com-
panion of her wandering^s. But she breathed a deep breath
of relief as she laid it down again, remembering that were
this a midnight robber, his fellows doubtless were in hear-
ing, and the reverberation of that pistol-shot might involve
Prairie-Combe in ruin all the speedier.
Yet though she blenched before so desperate a deed, she
had no will to yield helplessly to any foe. That fearful
RANDOLPH HONOR. 273
night at " Sleepy Hollow" swept back upon her, and nerved
her into firmness.
She waited.
One flash of the moon had disclosed to her the figure of
a man. And she knew, even by the treacherous twilight,
how he crept on through the openings, and pushed on
through the bushes, in the endeavor to remain unseen.
And now — yes, she knew, though the moon was hope-
lessly enshrouded— he stood beneath this very window.
And now — and now was climbing with slow caution up
the rose-wreathed trellis, which would bring him within his
length of the lattice.
Since the danger had reached her at the last, no muscle
quivered. Her resolve was made. While she stood there
on guard, straining her sight through the dark for those
clinging hands she knew must be ever lifting her enemy
nearer, through her memory had thrilled the story of a
spectral hand which thrust itself through a broken pane in
a weird old mansion; and of the watcher within, who
caught the wrist and dragged it ruthlessly to and fro
against the keen-edged glass, until at length it threatened
him no more. And this window— there was her danger ;
there also might be her security. The massive old-timed
oaken sash, so cumbrous to uplift, so swdft to fall with
heavy thud by its own weight, she raised from its support
and upheld with both arms, ready for a swoop on such
unwary members as must venture under. She turned her
thoughts resolutely away, which pictured the maimed
wretch, his hold powerless and crushed, staggering upon
his perilous foothold— reeling backward— crashing down
among the rose-boughs— huddled in a heap below there,
senseless, shattered, perchance dead. She turned her
thoughts away, waiting with undaunted courage, though
with marble lip and cheek. She stood, somewhat shielded
274 RANDOLPH HONOR.
by the curtains, yet keeping ceaseless vigil down upon the
climber, a mere dark blot TV'ithiu the gloom, against the
wall.
For thunder-clouds were hurrying together after the
sultry summer-like day, and the moon had dropped behind
a bank of midnight blackness. Fadette could hardly see,
but seemed to feel that shadow creeping up and up, until ifr
gained the topmost trellis-bar. One instant, and the arm's-
length grasp must close upon the window-ledge. One in-
stant, and that ponderous oak must fall, a thunderbolt of
vengeance, hurling down destruction. She stood prepared.
One hand had groped its way there, clutching fast the
sill. She had just caught the rustling motion, and at the
same time the moon broke forth triumphantly from her im-
prisonment— broke forth as if to guide the other hand, now
stretched out upward too. And now Fadette must act.
Relentless and ghastly as the death she would award, she
yet leans slightly forward for one glimpse of her fore-
doomed victim.
One glimpse — A glad cry of wonder parted her white
lips. And the grasp erewhile so steady, trembled almost
powerlessly, as with difficulty she succeeded in securing the
sash in its old position.
For it was the uncouth figure of the hunchback, which
the reappearing moon revealed. Another movement, and
he had sprung through the window into the apartment.
But Fadette shrank back, the first feeling of relief gone.
Xow that she had through her own thoughtless impulse
admitted him, a horror seized her— thus alone with an un-
reasonins: beins: in the dead hour of the niorht, with not one
human soul to aid, should his accustomed gentleness desert
him, and frenzy take possession of the wild misshapen form.
Such a change would have been scarcely more surprising
than his appearance at this time, in this manner.
RANDOLPH HONOR 275
She retreated a few paces, putting her right hand nerv-
ously upon tlie pistol as it lay and glittered in the moon-
beams shifting on the table. She did so, however, less
with the thought of self-defence than of keeping the weapon
from his sight. An irrepressible shudder of disgust and
terror shook her, and she stretched out her left hand with
a strong repellant gesture.
The hunchback stood irresolute. She marked the omi-
nous lowering of his black brows. But before the shriek
which trembled on her lips could leave them, he had sud-
denly dropped upon one knee before her, bowing his head
in silence, and extending a folded slip of paper.
She drew near and took it from him, not without a
tremor, but also with vehement self-reproach. And, strik-
ing a light, she bent eagerly over the writing.
There were but a few lines, the feigned characters those
of her provident genius of the hollow oak. Fixed in the
belief that this mysterious personage was identical with the
false friend of her aunt, the recognition filled her with dis-
trust. And as she read and re-read the paper for the
third time, that feeling grew yet stronger.
The writer intimated that Federal troops in numbers
were shortly to rendezvous in the vicinity, for the purpose of
penetrating to the mountainous retreat of a bushwhacking
band — with whom she, Fadette, was known to be in cor-
respondence, he asserted. And he besought her to send
him, by the bearer, directions whereby he might convey to
that retreat a timely warning.
The young girl's brows contracted in anxiety and doubt.
But ere long the indignant blood rose in her cheek, and
she tore the paper in a thousand fragments, setting her
small foot upon them,. So! make her the agent of his'
treachery ! Or ruin her aunt yet further, having proof of
her complicity with hunted-down and outlawed rebels, |
276 RANDOLPH HOXOE.
She did not stay to contrast this purpose with the friend-
liness or the remorse to which the oak bore witness. She
dared not trust those lives, so many and so dear, to a
senseless messenger and to a coward traitor — or an un-
known, at the best. She herself would bear the message,
and at once.
In the excitement of that resolution she totally forgot
the envoy, who meantime had risen, still regarding her
fixedly.
With a noiseless though hun-ied step, she quitted the
apartment and descended the stairs, traversing the hall
to the rear of the house, where she cautiously opened a
door.
There lay the old " Mammy," as negroes are wont,
oblivious of her comfortable room and bed, wrapped in
her blanket, her feet outstretched to the glowing kitchen
fire.
Fadette stooped and touched her, and she started up, on
the alert at once, as if yet accustomed to the summons of
" Miss little Janet's" babyhood.
" Up, Mammy, and lock the front door after me," the
girl said' hastily. "So sui-prised? Yes, I am indeed
going out. I have a word for Mars' Ruthven which, if I
deliver not to-night, he must be made a prisoner. Go with
me ? Indeed, I wish you could. You know there is no
horse but Mars' Ruthven's, which you and I this morning
hid, and I must ride for dear life. Come, come — and
remember you are to awake no one, but watch for me
yourself I will be here in safety before dawn."
And disregarding all dissuasive whisperings, she led the
^ way into tlie hall. She was turning toward the front,
when she perceived that the hunchback had already thrown
open a side-door, and was standing on its threshold. So
she passed out there, once more repeating her directions to
RANDOLPH HONOR 277
the servant, but yet somewhat regretful that she could not
shut within her uncouth companion, who now seemed bent
upon accompanying her.
Hoping to escape his further observation, she walked
quickly on, without appearing to notice him. But he drew
near when she would have taken the path which crossed
the lawn, and catching her shawl, strove to draw her gently
toward the shelter of the trees in the rear. She hesitated,
but obeyed. For her aunt's chamber, as well as her own,
commanded the lawn, and the least sound beneath those
windows was of all things that which Fadette was most
desirous to avoid.
Once in the leafy shelter, and winding cautiously througli
the orchard wilderness, she believed her follower could not
but have lost all trace of her. And secure in this, she
gained the woodland at the mountain's foot. There, still
tethered in a rock-hid glen, she found Ruthven Erie's
horse. Hastily she saddled and bridled him, and throwing
one stirrup across in lieu of a pommel, sprang to her seat,
and was off at a speed commensurate with the animal's
own wild delight at freedom from the day's restraint.
Every winding of the road was known to her. During
the first year of sojourn in Missouri, while yet all pros-
pered, she had been wont to rove the country through at
will, and one morning had chanced uj^on this very covert
of the partisan-ranger.
The moon was clouded hopelessly, only redeeming the
darkness to a dismal leaden tinge. And before she had
ridden far, the long-pent storm broke forth. It was no
furious tempest, but the rain dripped drearily, until the
lonely ridei* was thoroughly chilled, despite her urgent
speed. Her heart beat with foreboding as she listened to
the thunder's sullen mutterings, deep-drawn among those
rocky solitudes. Now and then, as she paused and waited
278 PiAXDOLPH IIOXOR.
for the lightning to point out her way along a yet more
hazardous defile, or \\\) a rugged height, she seemed to
hear, above the clashing of the boughs that surged against
each other, and through the dirge-like soughing in the
pines, a clatter as of horse's hoofs that followed in the
distance. Once she thought she saw, with all her senses
strained in anxious dread, a something moving toward her
through the brush. Yet when she listened, when she looked
again, only the storm-blare flickered on some ragged
branch, only a stone or broken bough plunged downward
with a hollow echo from some crag.
Fast, despite the darkness and the toilsome untrod way,
she had sped on until at last her goal was reached. Clam-
bering up that wooded scaur of impracticable aspect, she
checked her gallant horse, and gazed down on the scene
which the lightning now illuminated.
There lay a narrow gorge, towered over on all sides by
gaunt gray precipices, where but a stunted thicket here and
there broke into the. sterility. Far, far below, its belt of
pasture was traversed by a brook, which speedily meandered
back into the bosom of the mountain. Under the shelter
of a vast impending rock, a rampart against missiles from
above, dimly-discerned forms were lying prone at rest ; and
around, their horses grazed in the lulling of the storm. All
this Fadette observed, and then addressed herself to the
descent.
The tortuous way wound down from cliff to cliff*, less
perilous than it appeared above, and now she had nearh^
reached its foot. She turned a sudden promontory, and
there, attracted by the sound of voices, and peering through
the intertwining brush, she saw, a hundred feet below, a
picket-guard of three or four, around a smouldering camp-
fire. One man, apart, lay at full length, his face pressed
downward on his folded amis that rested on the rain-soaked
RANDOLPH HONOR. 2*79
p^vavd,— in an attitnde, it struck P\aclette, of utter abandon-
ment to despair. Another, lounging beneath a rock, was
busied in splicing a bridle by the light of a torch held over
his shoulder by a comrade reclining there above, and who,
from his whistled medley of many tunes, presently rang
out, clear and full and strong, a song which echoed back
from crag to crag, while the other men took up the chorus.
Fadette tarried, listening :
♦' Up, comrades, np ! The moon's in the west,
And we must be gone ere the dawn of the day :
The hounds of old Pennock shall find but the nest—
The Quantrell they seek shall be far, far away.
" Though they scout thro' the bush, though they scour the plain,
We'll pass through their midst in the dead of the night ;
Their toil after us shall be ever in vain—
We are lions in combat, Ave're eagles in flight.
Up, my brave band ! up, up, and away ! —
Press hard on the foe ere the dawn of the day :
Look well to your steeds, so gallant in chase.
That they never give o'er till they win well the race.
Cliorus — Up, comrades, up !
'* When Pennock is weary, the race given o'er,
We'll come as a thunderbolt comes in the cloud —
We'll traverse, we'll rout, we will bathe in their gore,
We'll smite the oppressor, we'll humble the proud.
But few shall escape us, but few shall be spared.
For keen are our sabres, which vengeance lias bared ;
And none are so strong, so mighty in fight,
As the wanior wlio strikes for the South and the Right
Chorus — Up, comrades, up !
" The bush is our home, the green sod our bed —
We drink from the river, and roots are our food :
We pine not for more, and we bow not the head,
For Freedom is ever within the green wood.
280 RANDOLPH HOXOR.
The foe shall not conquer, his fetters not bind,
For trae are our rifles, our steeds like the wind :
We'll sheathe not the sword, we'll draw not the rein,
Till the invader be driven from Dixie again.
" Up, comrades, up ! The moon's in the west,
And we must be gone ere the dawn of the day :
The hounds of old Pennock shall find but the nest —
The Quantrell Xhej seek shall be far, far away."
But, brave and stirring though the song, a strain to make
her pulses bound to its bold refrain, Fadette heard little of
it. Since she now realized that her errand was accom-
plished, and she herself in safety, thoughts hitherto over-
borne by excitement clamored for a hearing, and with
deep though unseen blushes, she for the first time shrank
from going forward among those men, and from meeting
Kuthven Erie. She wondered, with a sudden sinking of
her heart that had been beating so courageously, what be
himself would think of this her ride — whether in it she had
not ridden rough-shod over his standard of womanhood —
whether Amy, his gentle little model, would ever have done
likewise.
But, impatiently shaking oiF these misgivings, she was
bending, gathering up the reins to urge her horse to greater
speed, when there was a rustling in the bushes ; a man
sprang forward into the path before her ; and in the almost
outer dark, she felt her progress suddenly checked by a
grasp upon the bridle, and she herself halted by a quietly
spoken challenge.
For answer, she uttered a low cry of delight —
"Mr. Erie! Oh, Mr. Erie !"
" You here ! Merciful God ! Y
ou
t"
In the sharp agony of his accents, she understood he be-
lieved only some great calamity could have brought her to
him; thus she hastened to sav that nothing was amiss at
RANDOLPH IIONOB. 281
home. There she faltered. But immediately forcing her-
self into courage, knowing from his silence that he was
waiting for her, she resumed :
" I have learned that you are all in great and imminent
danger — there was but this one way to warn you — and —
and — I hope you do not think I have done wrong in thus —
But no, I don't care — I know I am right !" she ended, de-
fiantly.
Another rustling — this time in the thicket overhanging.
So slight, it might have seemed the wind alone. No one
heard it. Fadette looked down as the moon broke faintly
forth once more. Ruthven had loosed the bridle and was
standing at hep side. A yearning love unconquerable
deepened his eyes. And when he stretched forth his arms
to lift her from the saddle, he held her closely to his breast
one moment before he released. The doAvncast dewy lashes
swept her burning blushes, an unconscious sigh of happi-
ness just quivered on her lips. No word was spoken of
that which was swaying both their souls — no word, and not
another glance or touch was given, while they believed
themselves alone, and* accountable to their own conscience
only.
But, with more baleful fury than the now spent lightning-
glare, dark eyes were flashing on them from the tliicket
there above.
Fadette, overworn, and too weary both in mind and body
for a struggle, would hardly in that hour have thought on
bond or pledge, had Ruthven urged his love with but one
word. And Ruthven, looking on her, knew that well. It
smote him with another and a bitterer pang, as he leaned in
silence against the tree beside the rocky seat on which she
had sunk down.
" You are cold and wet," he said, concernedly. " Will
you not let me take you to the camp-fire below ? We keep
282 RAXDOLPH IIOXOR.
it in a smouldering state, but yet it is a fire, and can be
quickly kindled to a blaze. There you shall unfold your
tidings to the captain and to me alone."
She roused herself with an eifort.
" No, no," she replied hastily. " I have been too long
exposed for any camp-fire to do me good. I must tell my
story, and so ofi" again, trusting implicitly in exercise to
keep off cold. My aunt and Matoaca know nothing of this
escapade, and I must be safe at home before they are
awake."
Mr. Erie listened attentively to Fadette's account, and
agreed 'U'ith her as to the importance of the information.
His comrades would, he said, of course le^ve camp, and be
many miles away to join the Confederate army — they were
all recruits — before a cordon hleu could j^ossibly encompass
them. Fadette had done wisely as heroically, in not
charging her idiot friend or his unknown employer with the
power over so many lives. He too was unable to solve the
mystery, and thought her rash in destroying the warning
lines, which perhaps haste had confounded with the writing
of her oaken ally. But her tale was of such imj^ort that he
would at once acquaint the captain with it, and then ac-
company her home, as she said the coast was clear. He
must have returned at daylight for those papers which,
she exj^lained, she had hesitated to risk in her uncertain
ride.
Fadette lost sight of him in the descent, but presently
saw him approach the group below, and bending over the
man outstretched upon the grass, apparently speak to him
aside. The other rose up, slowly and listlessly she
thought, and both withdrew to a distance, remaining to-
gether some moments, while the stranger's manner changecl,
and his gestures, as Fadette conjectured designating routes
to be pursued, were eager and interested. Then Ruthven
RANDOLPH HONOR. 283
parted from him with a cordial hand-clasp, and very soon
was once more with Fadette.
•" Ah, you are looking at my^^ro tern, chief," he said, for
she had not yet moved from her post of observation.
" And, poor fellow, he has need of all womanly compassion.
His is the history of hundreds of our bushwhackers — men
wlio by some dire deed of tyranny have been driven to
take retribution into their own hands, and, striking for the
cause of freedom, will rather remain in a position to count
every blow. There is a reminiscence of old heroic heathen-
dom in thus sacrificing to the manes of their dead. Those
who have not suffered with them, perhaps can see with you
and me that our country's foe is not hydra-headed, but
wields the lives in his command as weapons, and that as
Aveapons we should be content to strike them from his
hand. Our friend down there cannot feel this, with the
sword thrust in his heart — with the remembrance of his
gray-haired father hung on liis own threshold — with the
late knowledge of his frail young wife at last dead in a
rigorous prison. But the brave men you have rescued
could never be in trustier hands. Our true-blue friends
may reserve their hempen cravats, as they will not fit these
necks to-morrow. Hey presto ! Ave are all vanished, by the
magic of one little Fadette, as she well calls herself. And
now for a gallop, since that perilous gorge is fairly left
behind, and the moon again lends light upon the safer
level."
Xo hoofs sounded behind in the rapid homeward ride.
But along another and more circuitous route there was a
headlong race. And when Fadette and Mr. Erie drew
bridle at the skirt of woodland, lest the near trampling of
hoofs should alarm the household, the hundiback stood to
meet them there.
He advanced close to Fadette, as she still sat upon her
284 BAXBOLPR IIOXOR.
horse, and she put forth her hand to steady herself hy his
shoulder, while she should spring to the ground. But
Ruthven Erie, his brows slightly contracted, anticipated
her by laying a light hold on either shoulder of the intruder,
wheeling him unceremoniously, yet gently, out of the way,
and himself rendeiing the assistance required.
She looked up at him somewhat reproachfully when she
had accepted it.
" Even my Leo would not have liked to be thus thrust
aside and superseded," she said, in a low tone.
"And in this our hour of parting," he rejoined, bitterly,
" you would repel from me such service as you would wil-
lingly receive from your dog or from your 'innocent.' "
" I^ow you know you are unjust. But I have sometimes
believed that j^oor creature loved me even more intelli-
gently than Leo. And by the way, where can Leo be ? I
thought he must have followed you, since he has not been
seen since yesterday morning."
This was added as, putting her arm through the bridle
of the horse she had ridden, she now walked onward toward
the garden-gate before the house. But the hunchback, who
the while had remained motionless where Ruthven Erie
had placed him, furtively watching the two who began to
move on together, suddenly followed, and touched a fold
of Fadette's dress. She turned, and saw that hy his un-
couth signs and gestures he was striving to induce her to
go no further, but rather to return to the covert of the
wood.
She smiled upon him, yet shook her head. But when
he still persisted, and caught at the bridle in her hand, she
drew it from him in some annoyance. ^
"He is so strange this morning," she said, appealing to
Mr. Erie. " And last night he acted in the same manner.
It is so vexatious !"
RANDOLPH HONOR. 2?5
Rutliven stopped at her words, with the intention of
putting an end to conduct which disturbed her. But the
impediment was now directly in his own path, renewing
the same signs, though this time with less of entreaty than
command.
Ruthven instantly collared him and swung him aside
roughly.
"You have humored him until he is unbearable," he
said, in hot anger, striding on without further notice of
Fadette.
In truth, the object upon w^hich his anger thus was
wreaked, had very little to do with its cause. The strict
self-rule Fadette had reassumed, so like to cold indiffer-
ence, was as a rankling arrow in his wounded soul, on
which the heavy blow of this last parting was ready to fall.
For he had resolved during that long and almost silent
ride, that this should be the final farewell — that his aunt's
affairs being once more arranged, as he yet saw a way to
do, he would never again enter under her roof until Fa-
dette was there no longer. His presence, he said within
himself, brought back to her a passing feeling, a phantom
from the past, he dared not wish should linger. Not for
an instant did he believe that the emotion he had seen was
but the shadow of a fast-abiding love, pent up from sight.
Two days ago, when he had met her first upon the prairie's
edge, she was so blooming and so bright, he could not see
how that unhappy shade had overcast the whole horizon.
They walked on silently together in the fair sweet light
of dawn. He never glanced down on her, nor she upward
to his face. For her tears were yet welling beneath the
down-dropped lids, and she was striving still to drive them
back to their surging source.
The hunchback, thrust in scorn from out her path and
his, stood looking on them both. At the fii*st, a fury
286 RAyDOLPH UOXOR.
of hatred and revenge had flashed forth from his orer-
sliadowed eyes, and with clenched hand he had made one
quick step forward. Xow, however, he stopped short, al-
though the sinister gleam burnt ever more and more fiercely,
and more like the tiger's glare before he springs. There
was a glitter of white teeth through the dense black beard,
as he muttered, in tones that might have fitted to a curse :
" Fool I Fool, and blind ! You icill^ then, give me my
revenge I"
And he turned, and j^lunged again into the lingenng
dusk of the forest.
Meantime, those two had entered in the garden-gate, had
wound through all those grassy walks where straggling
roses flung their boughs across, and now paused on the
portico.
Ruthven Erie held out his hand, as Fadette would have
tapped at the door for entrance.
" Have you forgiven my hasty words ?" he asked.
"Ah, Mr. Erie, the hasty words were nothing. The
hasty action — that harmless, friendless, pitiable crea-
ture—"
How this trembling pity, this downcast, hesitating re-
proof, became the dewy lashes, and the delicately-curved
red mouth ! Only because he loosed his hold of the slender
fingers, with their pleading, deprecating touch, he could
put away the mad desire to press them to his lips, to breathe
against their whiteness wild beseechings, the utterance of
which would dishonor him and her.
" You will bring my papers to me here," he said, moving
abruptly from her side.
" Oh, but surely you ydW not go away directly ? You
will stay for a cup of coflTee before the ride you have to
take ? There is no danger, surely ! You consent ? Then
I run away to call my aunt and Matoaca ; and, by-the-by,
RANDOLPH HONOR. 287
I will gain admittance more readily in Mammy's own pre-
cincts, of course."
She flitted gayly round the house, forgetting the fatiguing,
sleepless, stormy night, in the flush and triumph of suc-
cess.
The servant was on the watch for her, and, indeed, ac-
knowledged that her watch was not unshared. For she
had been so " disturved" by her young lady's proceeding,
that she had confided all to Miss Matoaca, who had been
walking up and down her room all night, pale as a ghost
Mammy had once seen trailing all in white among the cot-
ton-bolls one morning long ago at sun-up, when —
But Fadette cut short the seer with an order for break-
fast, and went up to her room. Upon the stairs she met
Matoaca descending, and felt herself taken into a long,
close, silent embrace.
She stood where she was released, looking down upon
her friend, a strange pang in her heart, and that glorious
" beauty hurting like the light
Let suddenly on sick eyelids."
And, holding by the baluster, she almost groped her dizzy,
weary way up to her chamber, listening involuntarily for
Matoaca's voice that greeted Ruthven Erie.
Her toilet finished, w^ith strong disapproval she surveyed
her pale face in the glass, then tried to brighten it by a
rose-ribbon at the throat, which again she tossed disdain-
fully aside. She had reached the door, when she remem-
bered she had not knelt for evening or for morning prayer,
though many a terrified cry had gone up from her heart
through that wild gallop in the night. So she sank upon
her knees before the open window, as her wont was — the
window at which she had kept that fearful vigil not so
many hoijrs ago.
288 BANDOLPH HONOR.
Her orlance roved over the scene before her, ere she folded
her hands in prayer. The freshness of the dawning m'BS
on all. Through the faint gray shades and fleecy clouds
there hovered rosy flushes, like the touches of a blessing
seraph-hand ; and as if that hand had left unbarred the celes-
tial gates, through which poured a glory in the east, a breath
so pure, so elevating, fluttered there A\'ithout. It rustled
downward in the lindens, shook out dews and fragrance
from the roses, died away, then came again in fuller sweep
across the prairie's deepening gold. She listened. The
whispering quiver of the leaves ; the twitter of the birds
just waking in their nests ; the far-off surge of deep, ripe
prauie-grasses. Yet another sound — of flying hoof-beats,
far and farther, ever farther in the distance.
That distance was too great to betray the rider in his
uniform of blue. Fadette had not beheld him creeping
stealthily from his post in the memorable barn-loft, which
at the foot of the lawn commanded a view of the house.
Had she beheld, how much that glimpse might have made
clear ! Thought might have reverted to last night's watch,
and found an explanation of the hunchback's furtive ap-
proach, of his deterring when she would have crossed the
lawn. And his mysterious demeanor on the forest's edge
this morning — must she not have discerned method in
that?
On that one glimpse hung all the future. And the spy,
unseen, rode at full gallop to his camp.
Nevertheless,
" As at the tramp of a horse's hoof on the turf of the prairie,
Far in advance are closed the leaves of the shrinking mimosa,
So at the hoof-beats of fate, with sad forebodings of evil,
Shrinks and closes the heart, ere the stroke of doom has attained it."
And it regained finnness only when she had lifted it to
the temple-dome above.
BANDOLPII IIOXOR. 289
"When Fiidette entered the-^ining-room, it was with the
noiseless gliding step peculiar to her, and she observed no
one within. Pausing by the small round table set for the
two who had need of a hurried breakfast, she busied her-
self in arranging the vase of roses she had gathered, that
the eye at least might be satisfied, if the palate should find
the mornincj's meal a meao-re one.
She had bent her head to inhale one last deep breath of
fragrance, before going her way to hasten or perhaps assist
in breakfast. Just then low tones reached her ear. Slie
started, and advanced a step, thus gaining a view of the
bow-window opening on the lawn. There stood Matoaca
and Ruthven Erie — he looking down upon her with a
proud and well-pleased smile of triumph, she blushing,
timid, shrinking, and confused, as Fadette could never have
dreamed of seeing the stately self-possessed Miss Yaughan.
The beautiful lips were quivering forth two or three inco-
herent words, so subduedly that they failed to reach
Fadette, when Ruthven suddenly raised to his lips the
hand just laid on his — that slender delicate white hand, of
curves so firm and clear, whose light nnliligering touch
seemed right royally to honor, and where Fadette's ad-
miring glance had often been bestowed, to the ntter
scorning of the childlike dimples and proportions of her
own.
But Ruthven Erie was thinking of that tiniest hand's
frank childlike yielding, which though it always so soon
flitted from his clasp, was wont to hover over trivial
things — a flower, or — yes, even a pretty ribbon or a
trinket — with a sense of pleasure in the contact. The one
was formed imperially to guide, uphold, and warn — per-
haps, at sorest need, to comfort : the other, to guide and
to uphold by the shy reminder of its own dependence, by
the beating of its pulses high and fast and bravely for the
^3
290 RAyDOLPII IIOXOR,
right, and to bring comfort in its own soft nestling seeking
for it.
Bnt while Ruthven Erie was thus comparing, Fadette,
in no soft mood, with flashing eyes and crimson scornful
lips, had drawn back in the intent to leave the room as
unobserved as she had entered. Unfortunately for her
desire, however, she stayed first to place the vase in the
centre of the table, and, unsteady w^th anger, she set it
down, not lightly as she would have wished, but with a
clear ring of the bright Bohemian resounding through tlie
still apartment.
Her impulse was precipitate retreat. But there was a
movement in the bow-window, and she resolved to stand
her ground. When Mr. Erie came forward, she met him
with a casual greeting, as if she had that moment entered.
A rustling through that window^ opening to tlie piazza, and
a light firm tread without, advised her that Matoaca was
gone.
She was far too indignant to feel embarrassment. Wliile
she seated herself, idly toying with the flowers, a hot
rebellion flushed her drooping lace, as one furtive glance
beheld his resting on her, with a gloAV of pleasure in the
resting. So, she scofled, he had but now looked on
]Matoaca — so he once had looked on Amy — and ah, the
old, old rhyme :
" The moon looks
On many brooks."
But here at least the tale shall vary — here is one brook
that will still refuse that upward gazing at the moon.
Better deep dark shadows over all her course, than that
uncertain radiance.
In unison with this decision, she remained in seeming
oblivion of his presence. He waited in silence,' until, her
BANDOLPn HONOR. 291
anger waxing somewhat fainter, embarrassment asserted
itself, and she roused her spirits to banish it.
" ' Under which king, Lancaster or York,' are you, Mr.
Erie ?" she cried gayly, singling out a white and a crimson
blossom, and laying them before him.
lie at once caught her allusion to that first evening of
their meeting in Charleston, so nearly a renconter vi et
armis. And he smiled and took both flowers, fastening
them in the cord of black and gold around his hat.
" Chevalier sans peivr et sans reproche^''\\^ said, touching
first the red and then the white. " National colors, were
there but another red, in sign that courage is van and rear-
guard of innocence."
She pushed the vase toward him, and said carelessly,
seeming not to notice that the flowers remained undis-
turbed :
" How very prudent to show your colors thus ! You are
right — in these irreverent times even the White Plume of
Navarre might pass for a mere white feather, if not duly
labelled. And labelled U. S. A., according to the Xorthern
papers. They* put ns down in a wofully demoraliz(>d
plight. I was much shocked the other day to read that
before Atlanta a doughty gunner with this brand had, with
one grim coup (Poeil and a single wave of feathery smoke,
routed a whole victorious brigade ! Do we emulate such
deeds in battle and in print ?
" ' Iliaeos intra muros peceatur et extra.'' " Fadette put
up her hands deprecatingly — " ' Not understand ?' I am
fortunate, then, for you never would concede courage — or,
for the rhyme's sake,
* Nul n'aura de I'esprit
Hors nous et nos amis,'
And, indeed, quite setting aside your faith in Southern papers
232 RANDOLPH IIOXOR.
and 'the chivalry,' it is in the natural order of thin^js that
the one should be more truthful, as the other more darings
striking for all they hold most dear, and forming an army
whose mainstay is patriotism, since they have little of the
staff of life to lean upon. For the crowning triumph of
such troops I would not know one fear, were it not that,
unpaid, or paid in currency that sinks in value, they can do
little or nothing for their women and children ; and it is the
enemy's wise policy to leave a wilderness behind in his
march. For us, we have so long been used to arm, and
clothe, and feed our columns from the northern commis-
sariat, that our ragged, barefooted boys have been looking
forward to this Missouri expedition, much as you might
anticipate a day of shopping in St. Louis."
" Still so severed from beyond the Mississippi ?"
" Still. Last winter a regiment of Louisiana cavalry was
ordered into Chicot to cross arms, which they accomplished
by night in flats and dug-outs, boxes, planks — paddling
over on every available thing which might be hoped to
float. A wary gunboat shelled from a respectful distance,
but the bitterly cold weather, such as has not been known
there for twenty years, was a greater foe. The spray froze
upon the men's hands as they rowed, and more than one
poor fellow was lifted on shore almost insensible."
" So the tide of war has drifted Chicotward," Fadette
commented.
" A somewhat stronger tide than that which bore those
arms across. What, have you then not heard of Chicot's
great battle ? Is it to go down to the future unknoAvn ?
Had it been Tecum seh Landing, where brave Shelbjntes
cut off to a man their number of marauding Corps d'Afrique,
and won the sword of a Colonel Cocke, who crew much
like a craven — that, indeed, I might have borne. But a
battle in which I trusted I mvself had won some laurels —
hakdolpii honor. 293
that shall be historical ! Are you ignorant that Ditch
Bayou, against which you were wont to declaim as an in-
terruption to the county, served as an interruption to Gen.
A. J. Smith, and — "
" Stay !" cried Fadette ; " I understand it now. It is
the battle of " Dutch" Bayou, where A. J. Smith drove
you flying to the canebrake. You, whose forces so out-
numbered his, that it was believed at first Magruder had
led all headquarters there. You, who lost in killed and
wounded many more than Smith's three hundred, and of
whom so many prisoners were captured in Lake Village."
Buthven laughed.
" Have faith in the three hundred," he replied. " That
number tallies with the accounts, of one of their own sur-
geons, and of our spies. But, for our part, take our own
testimony ; seven was the number of our slain. You are
surprised at the disparity? Had we lost three hundred,
there would have been a handful, indeed, to drive into the
canebrake. But we were admirably posted on the higher
bank of th^ bayou, toward the village ; the enemy being
forced to charge up the steep, while our guns — their own,
which we had captured a month or two before — poured a
raking fire on the ranks swept forward line by line to meet
us. We held our position from morning until evening, un-
shaken. And when we did retreat, having delayed Gen.
Smith during thirty-six hours, we drew back slowly, skir-
mishing still, along those five miles to the village, and thence
a short distance to the rear, while the enemy did not at-
tempt pursuit beyond the village. Our train — of blue, and
marked U. S. — was driven leisurely from danger. Our
general and staff, in this headlong canebrake flight, having
been in the front of the battle, now rode on slowly in the
rear, staying to wave farewell to a bevy of damsels, who, too
excited for alarm, still lingered on the gallery, though the
294 RAXDOLPH lIOyOR.
blue-coats were in full view, and in anotlier second a warn-
inic bullet struck a tree near by. Miss Charlie Goodfellow —
you will readily believe she was the last who stood upon
that gallery — had numbered at her w^atch over five thou-
sand soldiers, when she w^as cut short by the entrance of a
squad to pillage. She is convinced there were several
thousand remaining unnoted."
" And what became of you ?"
" It might have been said that Chicot
' Saw another sight
When the drums beat at dead of night/
but that the rainy day was followed by darkness impene-
trable. Our guides lost the way, and we did not emerge
from our canebrake until morning, when our skinnishers
follow^ed Smith's forces to the river, making some captures,
and we returned in quiet to our former camp. But Smith
left his sign-manual on the dismantled houses of the vil-
lage, and on the ashes of Columbia, near which he re-
entered his boats. And now what think you of the Battle
of Lake Chicot?"
Fadette's lips parted to give expression to the warm
interest she had been feeling. But the remembrance of the
moon and the brooks came first. And she said inditfer-
ently —
" Oh, the Thermopylae of the West, of course. And you
were the Leonidas."
And she was still refusino- to look up, both figuratively
and literally, he standing before her, listening to her cave-
less speech, when Mrs. Rutledge entered, followed by the
old servant with a breakfast-waiter. Mrs. Rutledge had
already seen her nephew, so in silence still she advanced
behind Fadette's chair. The young girl was first made
awai-e of her presence by a hand that softly and lingeringly
RANDOLPH HONOR. 295
smoothed back the dusky braids. As it stayed, Fadette'^
stole up too, with a timid fluttering touch. Tears of grate-
ful joy rushed to her eyes, not falling, only shining there.
And the aunt passed on to her place at the head of the
table, smiling on Ruthven Erie, in a way that entered
boldly into his confidence, while it approved and encour-
aixed. His thoughts went back on the instant to that first
Avinter in Charleston and at Beauregard. Then she had
viewed coldly and doubtfully his every attention to the
young stranger. Her smile now but deepened the gloom
that brooded in his eyes. He received in silence his cup of
frao-rant coffee, and the low-toned remark with it, wliich
Mammy ventured in this unceremonious breakfast to com-
municate with a profound courtesy — that though Mars'
Ruthven might remember he used to like her coffee, yet it
w^as no showing to Missie's there — only, poor little lamb,
she was too tired out to make it this morning.
Lamb ! and coffee-maker ! it was no wonder Ruthven
Erie looked up quickly with that quizzical expression lurk-
ing about his mouth. And wdien Matoaca, leading in the
two children, who, both fair and fresh and blooming,
dressed alike in white, might readily have appeared, as
they called each other, sisters — when she added a pane-
gyric upon Fadette's genius for light-bread and for butter,
for vegetable-gardening, and — and — Fadette cut short the
catalogue, with a merry laugh, in which her troubles van-
ished for the time.
"Now, Mammy, the omelette — * solid pudding against
empty praise' — you will find it a wise exchange, Mr. Erie.
What is it, little Maisie ? Sugar ? There, see what a great
piece fast in each wee fist ! But tell me, Matoaca, did not
one of your ' ands' represent the broom ? What a mercy
you were not here last week, Mr. Erie, when on an emer-
gency I undertook to institute a sweeping-day ! Pip's
296 RANDOLPH HOXOR.
sister * on the rampage' resolved to ' sweep all obnoxious
intruders away,' is but a mild rendering of that expe-
rience."
" And oh, Cousin Ru'," cried Janet, in her childish eager-
ness to unfold all the wonders of the past, " we were all so
hungry once — so hungry ! — only our cousin would not let
us tell mamma. But cousin did not get hungry herself —
wasn't that strange ?"
" Yes, indeed," the cousin interrupted gayly, while the
color mounted to her brow, " we were once actually at
starvation point — almost reduced to that dire extremity
which Masie's great song relates,"
The child, leaning against Fadette, glanced round at
these words, and with a merry expression on her bright
little rose-bud face, defiant of " sister Janet's" growing in-
dignation, half sang, half chanted, in the wild monotony of
a negro air, taught by Mammy herself:
" Mammy done kill me.
Birdie done eat me.
Poor little sister sitting un' table,
Pecking my bo — ones —
Pecking my bo — ones."
Fadette glanced at Ruthven Erie, and the association
with this last word struck them simultaneously. Their
laughter was explained by an allusion to the Knight of the
Spur, and the Sol of Chivalry.
But Ruthven's smile soon passed away.
" A brave man," he said.
" ' A very valiant trencherman,' as I remember," laughed
Fadette.
But Ruthven returned, gravely :
" * Within him, what all that's without him belies,
RANDOLPH nOKOR. 297
The fool that last year at her Majesty's ball
Sickened me sd with his simper of pride,
Is the hero now heard of, the first on the wall,
With the bayonet wound in his side.' "
" What, you do not mean in truth, Mr. Erie ?'*
" He fell, Miss Matoaca, in the battle of Jenkins' Ferry.
A year ago, he found his weary way home from the
trenches of Petersburg, discharged as unfit for duty, and
to all appearance dying from a wound in the lungs. Char-
ley's devoted nursing prolonged his life from month to
month, and when Steele marched toward Camden last
April, Goodfellow was so far recovered, that he immedi-
ately announced his resolve to volunteer under Price. To
his sister's faint dissuasion, he replied that his course was
well-nigh run out now, and since she must mourn him, he
had rather she mourned him buried on the field of honor.
So he joined our own gallant First Brigade, after due de-
liberation as to where his services and military knowledge
would be most beneficial. It was, perhaps, scarcely com-
plimentary to our ability to stand alone, that he at length
selected us— albeit he stated, as his reason for so doing,
that under our general he could not fail to see fight."
" And he was killed, poor felloAV !" Fadette said, softly.
" He was killed. Just when the tide of battle wavered —
just before the final hour which left us masters of a glorious
field — while yet ^\Q waded painfully through blood-stained
mire, nor stood firmly on the road to victory. He fell at
my side, waving the flag caught up from a wounded color-
bearer, shouting a cheer which our gallant fellows rang
back. I bent above him as the fight swept by. The hue
of death and its rigidity were on his face, and it was with
failing breath he gasped ; ' The flag ! the flag !— yes, take
it— But if I might but have borne it to the end— might but
l^ave led this charge — secured the victory — and then — '
298 BANBOLPH HOXOR.
It was over. Those were the words of a commander whose
eye could nerve a legion, whose right arm control it. They
were spoken by an obscure private, uncouth, uninfluential,
vain — unconscious butt of all his comrades. But, begun in
death and ended in a prayer in Paradise — gasped out to
the plashing of the life-blood — they sounded in my ear sub-
lime self-dedication, and sealed a martyr-testimony to the
cause."
Fadette had bowed her brow upon her hand to hide the
tears that slowly fell.
" And Charley ?" said Matoaca, her dark eyes beautiful
with light.
" Charley came to the grave of her brother, whom his
comrades had laid reverently at the foot of a great oak,
where the gray moss trailed over a rude cross on which
were cut the words, ' The flag — if I might but have borne
it to the end !" Charley knelt there for a space, and laid
her cheek against those letters, her eyes uplifted with a
strange intensity of gaze. And then she rose and grasped
my hand one instant, turned and rode away toward home
again, speechless and tearless, her color burning high."
" And the poor father ?" Matoaca asked again.
It was some moments before Mr. Erie replied, and tlien
only on Miss Vaughan's reiteration of her question.
"That hospitable, cheerful home is altogether desolate.
Had the elder brother not died thus in battle, he must have
perished far more fearfully. A raid of white and negro
troops went out upon the bayou some weeks after, and
when they had returned again to their boajts, a neighbor
passing by our friend's plantation saw the house in flames,
and on approaching, at the gate there lay a charred and
blackened corpse, the heart torn out and smouldering in
the ashes that shrouded the body. Xear by, lay the
mutilated boy, and beside her dead crouched Charley,
EANDOLPII UOyOR 209
hardly- livinj:^ more than tliey. She never left them till they
were laid together in the last resting-plaee, and then she
suifered herself to be led away by a neighbor, at whose
house she retired quietly to rest. But the next morning
she was gone, and all search for her has since proved una-
vailinsT. There can be no doubt, since her valuables and
money, of which she had no little, also disappeared, that
she had simply resolved to leave a vicinage so dread with
memories. I am perfectly satisfied she is still laboring for
the cause in some far-oif retreat. The last her kind friend
saw -of her that night, she was kneeling calmly at her
prayers."
There was a long pause. Mr. Erie had told his tale re-
luctantly, continuing only at Miss Yaughan's urgent sign
in every pause, and at Mrs. Eutledge's earnest " Go on,
Kuthven." And now Mrs. Rutledge had passed out on
the piazza, ostensibly to watch the children at play upon
the lawn, and Matoaca sat there so pale and still, he could
not but believe, as he had feared, that her thoughts had
gone back to that ghastly night at Sleepy Hollow. He re-
garded Fadette anxiously. Her tear-stained face was
partly shaded from him. She made a strong effort to throw
off her depression, questioning cheerfully of friends he had
already casually mentioned. Then Matoaca drifted into
the conversation again.
" Ruthven," Mrs. Rutledge said, re-entering, " will you
not, on your return to Arkansas, be again at Camden?"
" I do not doubt it. If not ordered to headquarters, will
probably be. able to obtain a short furlough. So any word,
my dear aunt, you have for our little Amy, shall speedily
and safely be delivered."
" I cannot send messages of love to my own child," she
answered slowly ; "but tell her how well her father bears
his prison-life — how I am enabled to keep privation from
GOO RAXDOLPH HOXOB.
him — how constantly I am with him, thanks to mv sweet
little housekeeper here — and that at last I have good hope
of his release. And, my dear boy," she added hurriedly,
as he rose and buckled on his pistol-belt, " do not be rash
and reckless — remember to how many is your life most
precious."
She laid a trembling touch upon his shoulder. But he
did not look at her paling face, he did not look at Matoaca,
Arhose tears were falling fast. He only saw P'adette, who,
because she could not stay the quivering of her wrist, had
laid down on the table the packet of papers for which he was
holding out his hand, and who dropped hers clenched at
her side in the folds of her dress. The knowledge of his
observation brought the color to her cheek, and she mani-
fested so little of that regret which, vain as it would have
been, he still could not but yearn for, that he turned away
with a smothered sigh, and took up his papers.
" I have a considerable sum of money to deposit for
you," he was saying to Mrs. Rutledge — " and, as I am not
obliged to rejoin my command for some days yet, I shall
have occasion, while still upon recruiting duty, to place it
in the same hands which — "
A shrill childish scream broke in upon his words. The
two little girls came flying into the room from their play
upon the lawn.
" Oh, 3Iamma, Mamma, soldiers !" shrieked Janet.
And Maisie, in the contagion of terror, though scarcely
comprehending, fled sobl)ing to Matoaca.
The ladies started forward, while Mr. Erie, drawing a
pistol from his belt, quietly demanded where.
" Right at the gate. Mars' Ruthven — a mighty heap on
'em," replied the old servant, who now rushed in, well-
nigh blanched with fear.
" Oh, Mr. Erie, come, come — " Fadette began eagerly.
BANDOLPH HONOR. 301
"It is too late," Mrs. Rutledge said, moving from tho
window — " They are here, Ruthven — the house seems sur-
rounded. "What can be done ?"
Already, as she was speaking, he had closed and locked
the door. And now he drew in and bolted the shutters of
one window, while Fadette and Matoaca sprang to the
others, leaving thus but one means of ingress — the bow-
window opening on the piazza.
" Leave me now," he said. " Of course there is no escape
for me, but I must at all hazards destroy these papers be-
fore surrendering. Leave me — do not remain near, for
I may be forced to defend mj^self, and cannot, you at
hand."
Matoaca stood irresolute. Mrs. Rutledge, deathly pallid,
shook her head and clasped his arm as if determined not to
go. But he with gentle authority loosed her hold, and led
her to the door, then moved to let Matoaca pass out. As
Fadette, white and quivering, followed without looking up,
he extended his hand. Hers trembled in his grasp, as her
voice, faltering
" Ah, let me stay !"
" I cannot."
And she too was gone.
Hardly an instant, when armed men surrounded the win-
dow. An officer advanced and called upon him to surren-
der.
Ruthven Erie came forward, coolly and calmly, pistol in
hand.
"Sir," he said, "in ten minutes I surrender, provided
you grant me that space of time, while no one enters this
room. Surround it as you will — there is no escape, and I
pledge my honor to attempt none. But try to take me by
force, and I am a desperate man. I have the advantage o{
you in this shelter, I am armed with two six-shooters, and I
302 RAKDOLPU HOXOB.
seldom miss my aim. See — " and raising his arm with
apparent carelessness, a sharp report followed, and a swal-
low twittering downward toward an oak across the lawn,
fell in one death-flutter to the ground.
The men retreated a few^ paces involuntarily. The
glances which had followed the bird's fate, were now all
turned on him. Some two or three w^ould have pressed
foi*ward, but their captain hesitated, and gave no word of
command. And, quite setting aside all possible motives of
the prisoner, it seemed a lavishness of courage, to risk half
a score of lives for a matter of as many moments. Such a
murmur rose along the foremost file, and the officer drew
apart with several of his men in consultation.
That Ruthven Erie's undaunted demeanor, the cool,
keen, steady resolution in his fearless eyes, promoted that
murmur equally with his ready shot, is undeniable. He
was standing meanwhile in the entrance-way, with folded
arms, yet warily watching his besiegers' every movement.
The council of war resulted presently in the dispersal of
half the soldiers to guard the door and the other windows,
w^hile a squad of fifteen or twenty yet remained investing
this one.
As soon as tbis change was made, Erie withdrew from
view, and began his task. Several passages in his papers
he deliberately read over, to impress them further on his
memory, and then he tore them one and all in fragments so
small, that a match hastily struck and catching here and
there soon made them undistinguishable. And before the
stipulated moments had elapsed, he appeared once more
upon the threshold.
" With these," he said, quietly delivering his weapons to
the officer, " with these I should have attempted escape,
had it not been for papers which must have fallen into your
power, had you killed me. Take the pistols — they have
RANDOLPH HONOR. 303
seen some service since they were borrowed from you at
Manassas."
But tlie prisoner was not to be marched off without a
farewell word.
Mrs. Rutledge and Matoaca pressed forward through the
guard, the latter weeping silently, the other sternly self-
controlled, though her lips but quivered when she would
have spoken.
Another glided noiselessly from the recess in the wall
beside the bow-window, where all this while she had
crouched, breathless, like a frightened deer in covert.
No one saw her at the first, and she listened for her own
name. But he was going without a thought of or for her.
He was speaking to Matoaca. And now — But she must,
she would have the last word. Only, he should not think
she cared — not she ! So she pressed her palms vehemently
on her white cheeks, to force a ray of color there, and
smoothed the line of trouble from her brow. And then
she advanced, and said in an unshaken voice how sorry she
was — how she hoped and trusted he would ere long be
exchanged.
He checked the " scarcely possible" in the utterance, and
half questioned instead :
" You will, however, sometimes send a thought even to
the prison ?" •
The smile that curled her lips was very far from her eyes,
and the light tone in which she answered him had more of
forced flippancy than gayety :
" Need you ask ? When I am quarrelsome, shall I not
wish for you, as of old, to quarrel with? when I am sad,
to make merry Avith ? Shall not the name of dancing recall
the champion of the doughty spur — and — "
" Every breakfast-table, batter-cake strategy," he inter-
posed, smiling perhaps somewhat bitterly, as he once more
804 RANDOLPH HOXOR.
shook hands with her. And exchanging another hasty
farewell with Mrs. Rut ledge, he was marched off without
the garden-gate, where the horses were secured.
But his captors had no idea of resting content with one
Confederate, trophy of war. With the exception of the
guard, all were speedily in the house. For sacking was
the order of the day.
Before the lower story had been ransacked, Fadette flew
ujD stairs to her aunt's chamber, remembering a certain
purse of gold which Mrs. Rutledge had probably not had
time to secure. This she concealed about her. And after
making a hasty tour through the apartments, hiding what
Gould be hidden on the spur of the moment, she went down
again.
" Confusion worse confounded." Carpets cut, and
strewn with the combined contents of the store-room —
piano shattered — furniture broken. Men carrying meat
dripping with blood through the hall, and there on the
piazza, tied to a column, a calf, quartered aliye, was strug-
gling and moaning out the death-throe as Fadette passed
by.
Sickened with the sight and^ the stifling atmosphere,
she hurried on. Plunder, plunder, eyerywhere. Mrs.
Rutledge, with Janet clinging fast to her dress, and Ma-
toaca with Maisie in her arms, were making almost yain
efforts to saye something.
" Miss Janet, Miss Janet !" now screamed old Mammy,
leaning oyer the balusters up stairs, " some — gentlemen —
here, a-breaking open your great chest."
Fadette glanced into the library, and seeing her aunt en-
gaged there, hastily ran up.
But the great chest was already broken open, and
Mammy in despair.
" Oh," she whispered, drawing near to Fadette, "Mistis
RANDOLPH HONOR. 305
told me she left her purse in her room, and sent me for it,
but it's gone."
Fadette shook her head, and smiled.
A soldier standing unobserved without the doorway, saw
the gesture, and took his clue from it.
" Look a-here, young woman," he said, roughly grasping
Fadette's shoulder, " what have you been hiding ? Be-
cause you had just as well out with it. You ain't going to
get off without."
Fadette shook off his touch, and looked at him, the hot
blood rushing to her face.
" What have I been hiding ?" she said — " A great many
things ; but it seems they are being found fast enough.
"What will you have ? Walk in and help yourself. All
this is confiscated property."
"Xever you fear but I'll help myself," the man re-
joined. " Look a-here. Bill" — and he beckoned to a com-
rade, who had just finished cutting from its frame Mr. Rut-
ledge's portrait, painted by a prison friend, and who now
obeyed the summons, rolling up the canvas and bestowing
it under his arm. " Bill, I've a notion," he continued, as
that art-loving worthy came up — " that this here girl's got
some money or jewelry, or what not, hid about her. Let's
have it."
" Well, let's."
" Will you give it up pleasant, now ?" the first said in-
sinuatingly, as if nothing in the world could be more agree-
able than such a request.
Fadette, amused at his cool impertinence, slightly smiled,
replying —
" It is a thousand pities, Sir, that I cannot oblige you.
My last dollar, and jewelry too, have but now disappeared
from that bureau. You see, the drawers, or what once
were drawers, are empty."
306 RAXDOLPII HOXOR.
" Come now, that won't go down with us — better shell
out, and no words — "
" But I assure you that is the truth."
" Lots of assurance," Bill suggested. " Come, shell
out" — and he caught her dress.
Fadette with the strength of terror wrenched away, and
fled toward the door. But the other man stepped between
and slammed it, after summarily bestowing a kick and a
curse upon the servant outside, who made a precipitate
flight, screaming, to her mistress.
INIeanwhile his fellow-ruflian had seized and flung Fa-
dette violently upon the floor. And partly by her arm,
partly with his grasp wound in her long black hair, wliich
had fallen down in the struggle, he had dragged her across
the room, before she could find voice to speak or to cry out,
— he the while declaring, Avith awful oaths, that he would
have the money — would get it himself, as^she would not
give it up.
" Let me go — let me go," she gasped faintly ; " I'll
give you all, all, if you will only let me go."
He released her. The two stood by, swearing frightfully,
while she rose to her feet, trembling so that she could with
difliculty draw the purse from its concealment. And fling-
ing it to the further end of the room, with one bound she
gained the stairway, and almost flung herself down into the
hall, where her aunt and Matoaca, with one little inoffen-
sive-looking soldier, were hastening to her assistance. She
had rightly conjectured that the precious purse would not
be left in order to pursue her.
Half an hour after, and the homeless group were standing
on the lawn. Flames burst forth from windows, doors, and
roof of the house, fired in every apartment. Volumes of
smoke blackened the sunlight. The atmosphere grew so
RANDOLPH nOXOR. 307
oppressive that Mrs. Riitledge was moving off, when her
little girl, leaving her hand, darted forward.
" Pussy, pussy !" she cried.
And the kitten, disconsolately mewing around her lost
home, at the sound of that familiar voice approached,
purring with delight. A soldier standing near, turned too.
With one swoop of his bayonet, he transfixed the tiny
creature, and held it howling over the flames.
" You bad man — you wicked, wicked man !" screamed
the child, trembling with frantic grief. Then, as he tossed
the animal in at the blazing window, and scowled at her,
she fled to her mother's side, burying her face in her dress,
and sobbing out —
" Take me away, take me away. Mamma. Let's go in a
turkey-trot too — I am so afraid."
The mother clasped the poor child tenderly, and drew
her away, with the desolate household, from the dense air
of the burnins^ buildinsrs. For now barn and stable were
on fire too.
Ruthven Erie was still at the gate, pacing restlessly to *
and fro before his guards, his arms secured behind him.
He turned aside on seeing Mrs. Rutledge. But she ad-
vanced, and putting Janet down, laid both hands on his
shoulders, forcing him to meet her.
" What is it, Ruthven, but a little money !" she said.
*' We will take refuge with a neighbor until we can arrange
another home."
" Promise me," he said, " that it shall be where you are
no longer subject to the incursions of these devils. I have
brought this upon you."
" But you did your duty — you must not regret that."
He was silent, then resumed hurriedly : " That shriek
from the house maddened me. I knocked down one of the
308 RANDOLPH HOXOB.
guard, aud would have gone to your assistance, but tbey
bound me, thus — " and he moved his fettered arms, clenching
his teeth in furious anger.
" My poor boy I" she said soothingly.
Fadette had seldom seen her face so soften.
" Come, Sir." A soldier touched him on the shoulder.
They were all mounting.
Mrs. Rutledge clung to him, speechless. Matoaca laid
her hand upon his arm, whispering something, while her
tears fell fast. Janet raised her rosy mouth, smiling in
childish forgetfulness of recent tears.
And Fadette stood apart. He glanced at her, and said
huskily —
" Have you, then, not even a farewell for me ?"
All her pride, all her composure, broke down utterly.
She came and stood before him, not daring to meet his
eyes. He looked steadily into her downcast face. And
then he bent, and touched her forehead with his lips.
She remained there as if turned to stone, while he too
mounted. When the hoof-beats, muffled in the deep grass,
grew more distant, she mechanically moved to follow her
aunt.
Mrs. Rutledge and Matoaca did not hear her slow step
on the lawn. They were speaking earnestly.
" Ruthven Erie is a fool—"
"Mrs. Rutledge!"
" I say he is a fool !" reiterated the elder lady still more
angrily. " Is he not wasting his love, his whole life, on a
girl who cares nothing for him — a flirt — a heartless — "
Fadette heard no more. She turned hurriedly away,
among the shrubbery. Her aunt's words, or what Matoaca
might say, had scarcely place one moment in her mind.
Benumbed and passionless, she sank upon the sward
beneath the roses, her head bowed on her knee. She did
RANDOLPH HONOR. 309
not think, she did not feci, she did not know how long a
time had passed. When some one touched her shoulder.
With a violent start, she looked up. It was the hunch-
back. She rose, pressing her cold palm confusedly upon
her forehead. The movement seemed to bring back to her
memory all the changes of that day. Pushing aside the
branches, she saw where Mrs. Rutledge, Matoaca, the ser-
vant, and even the children, were busied in packing to-
gether the few. articles they had saved. The little ones'
innocent laughter as they played at being useful, dragging
to and fro some burden larger than themselves, grated on
Fadette's ear, but roused her more effectually. And shel-
terless as they were, and distant from all neighbors, she
remembered the hunchback's cave as a refuge for one night.
Its master accompanied the melancholy party thither.
Silently he kindled a fire within, silently brought forward
food and set before them. Markedly as he had always
sought Fadette before, he now shrank from her. But the
poor girl noted nothing of this. The haven reached, she
had sunk down almost unconscious as before, deaf to all
attempts of Mrs. Rutledge and Matoaca to rouse her, and
unobservant that very soon the hunchback had left the
cavern to its new inhabitants.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE HUNCHBACK.
" Time driveth onward fast»
And in a little while oar lips are dumb.
Let us alone. What is it that will last ?
All things are taken from ns, and become
Portions and parcels of the dreadful Past."
Lotos-Eaters.
)HE Stillness of deep slumber wrapped the cave. The
long night had passed heavily away. Toward
dawn the restless watchers, overworn, had with-
drawn to the couch of shawls and blankets spread for tliem
and the little ones by the faithful servant who had long
since taken her place at its foot. Fadette alone remained
beside the fire sunk to embers. And even she, exhausted
by those sleepless nights and the past day's excitement,
had fallen into a light doze, her head droojied back against
the piled-up relics of Prairie-Combe, brought hither by old
Dobbin and his sledge.
Between the rocky crevices above, the morning sun crept
in, in straggling rays which did not waver toward the deep
recesses of the cavern. So that still a hush and darkness,
as of midnight, hung there. Only through the silence came
a movement of the slumberers, whom sense of trouble yet
kept restless ; and an occasional low-drawn moaning from
Fadette's pale lips. For through her dreams did Ruthven
Erie, bound and dragged away, turn on her a reproachful
glance.
RANDOLril HONOR. 311
She stirred and moaned again, when through the narrow
entrance near, marked only by a line of deeper obscurity,
there came a sound ; at first it was indistinct, as of the
grating of the boughs, then clear and clearer, of approach-
ing footsteps.
The next instant, Ruthven Erie stood at her side.
He bent above the sleeping girl. Even as he bent, a
painful quiver passed across her mouth, and she moved her
head from side to side uneasily. Her lips parted with a
mm-mur, and involuntarily he stooped lower yet to catch
the wail :
"Oh, Ruthven, Ruthven, not one word? You cannot
then forgive ? And I— I—"
The rest was lost in incoherent sounds. His arm was
stretched forth, as if he would have drawn her to him. A
strange deep tenderness had softened all his face. But
suddenly he lifted himself up, and crossed his arms upon
his breast.
" My God ! I cannot speak that word. My only love, I
cannot claim you. I must let you go forever."
This suppressed mutter forced itself through his stern-set
lips. And the hunchback, who had guided him hither, lin-
gering at the entrance, released his unconscious clutch upon
a pistol hidden in his belt, and quietly advanced to the fire,
with an armful of brushwood.
But his step roused Fadette. Her eyes opened full on
Ruthven Erie, at first dreamily, anon in a wild incredulous
stare. She raised herself slowly, still never removing her
eyes, as if she strove to keep a vision that might vanish
with a turn, as dreams are wont. And standing shivering
from head to foot before him, she put her hand out wist-
fully.
lie made her lean against him, for he saw this excite-
ment was more than her over-taxed strengtli could bear,
312 BAXDOLPH HONOR.
and that she must have fallen unsupported. And she
looked up to him, Avhile the color slowly came into her
face.
" Xo spirit, in good truth," he answered lightly to the
astonished questioning of that glance. " And have I
frightened you ? What, trembling still ? Now, will you
have the history of my escape ?"
For she had withdrawn herself, and resumed her seat be-
fore the fire. He took his upon the Prairie-Combe debris
beside, and began, as she at length found voice to beg :
" Strange, is it not, that by means of friends of yours, I
should t's\'ice have been delivered from imprisonment — this
time probably from that narrower, darker ^orison-house, the
grave. Yes, your innocent there" — the hunchback was at
that moment on one knee before the fire, fronting the
speakers, heaping up the boughs that blazed and crackled
merrily away — " might seem to have had somewhat of the
serpent's wisdom, or of that instinct and cunning which
in such creatures fills, oftentimes amply enough, the place
of wisdom."
He lowered his voice, as the subject of his remarks, still
bending there, folded his arms across his breast, his head
dropped forward as if in meditation, while beneath the
shelter of his slouched hat, his gaze seemed fixed upon the
flames.
Fadette smiled.
" Xay, he hears as if he heard nothing," she said. " Fre-
quently as he has been with me, he has never given sign of
comprehension other than dear old Leo might. By the
way, is it not strange that Leo has not been seen since that
night you came to Prairie-Combe ?"
" I saw Leo in the Federal camp, leashed against escape.
Perhaps your hunchback had tracked him there — at all
events, he came, and the two greatly amused the soldiers.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 313
though neither quite entered into the amusement, Leo
showing his white teeth, and your ally here a dangerous
gleam in his eyes. I alone observed that, however. And
after they had been made the sport of an hour, so amicable
were the relations, that when the poor wretch crept near
me, he was left to sleep there. I knew little slumber, but
awaking from a doze in the dead of the night, felt some-
thing close against me, and in the dim light discerned my
neighbor. As he caught my eye he began to gibber and
to point, yet all in silence ; and I watched and found he
was engaged in cutting the cords that bound me. I raised
myself upon my elbow, prepared for the knife's next on-
slaught on my throat, for your 2^^'otege has always seemed
to bear me ' unco little luve.' Whether my observance dis-
concerted him, or he had not entertained such murderous
design, be that as it may, he presently betook himself to
rest. But no clear-scheming consj^irator could more deftly
have contrived my escape. The cords were severed so, that
while the outside still appeared intact, one putting forth
of my strength would leave me free, a very Samson. And
w^hen at earliest dawn this morning we were marshalled
under marching-orders, and I, bound so apparently fast,
w^as mounted between my guards, I suddenly snatched the
carbine from my right-hand man, felled him to the ground,
and was off before any one had recovered from the con-
fusion sufficiently to pursue me. This poor creature had
leaped upon the captain's horse which he was holding, and
so after me. At the verge of the prairie, I halted and or-
dered him back threateningly, loth with such a- companion
to risk my safety in the precarious way before me. But I
soon saw he was not thus to be driven aw^ay. I could not
use violence to one w^ho but now had saved me. There
w^as no time to lose, for I heard the pursuers in the dis-
tance, though an opportune grove hid me. So I dashed at
14
314 BANDOLPH HONOR.
once into these woods along the mountain-side. Soon I
perceived he was bent upon leading the way. And reflecting
that he was wont to linger near you, I determined to yield
to his guidance, as my purpose was not to leave the vicinity
^vithout news of you.
" Leo, when I first looked back, I saw forcibly restrained
from following. But so noble an animal is sure of kindly
treatment, and beyond a doubt he will soon win his way to
you. This evening I shall venture forth to spy out the
country. If you can be content to wait here until then, as I
have reason to believe my morning's hosts will be many
miles away, I shall myself have the pleasure of escorting
you with old Dobbin and the sledge, probably remaining
unconfiscated, to your old friend Mr. Thome's. He will
see you at length settled in St. Louis, now perhaps safer
than elsewhere. There, shall be another fund for your care,
manager, mine. "
" Where have you fallen upon a gold mine, Fortunatus ?"
" Fair Incredulity, in Texas, that land flowing with milk
and money. You know that upon your leaving Beauregard
I established all the Rutledge negroes upon a cotton-
plantation in that State. Last year's crop was sold to
Government for the Mexican trade in army supplies. Thus
you have again that enough which is as good as a feast — of
which, however, you must very carefully gather up the
fragments^ for Texas crops are proverbially uncertain, great
droughts succeeding a year of plenty. However, there is
every probability that your uncle will be released before
your present funds run low."
" And how are the servants doing in Texas, Mr. Erie —
Uncle Washington and the rest ?"
" Washington has made his five hundred in gold. Xegro
patches outthrive the plantation iields ; and as for their
poultry-yard, its thousand or two voices call the morning
RANDOLPE HONOR 315
from such a distance, tliat I am satisfied the sun cannot but
first present himself there. Still, they await anxiously the
close of the war, to return to the old Carolina home. Not
at all demoralized — their gunboat experience being very
useful, and Washington's influence great."
"And Irene?"
" Still with Amy. Always inquiring for ' her own young
mistis.' "
" Ah, Mr. Erie, is not Amy's lot a sad one ?"
" But she is very hopeful, sees a happy peace never far
off, and thinks this separation can be at most a few months
longer."
" Ah ! but I did not mean that, which time will remedy.
But Mr. Weir's loss—"
"Surely you do not mean that could occasion real un-
happiness ?"
She blushed crimson under his surprised scrutiny.
"I do," she said courageously, though the long lashes
drooped upon her cheek. " I cannot imagine mutilation
so separated from pity, as perfect love must be. It seems
reversing the order of things for a man to lean on a woman,
though ever so. little — "
" Then it is the clothing of the spirit, and not the spirit,
which must have the strength you admire ?"
"I am afraid I could not make the distinction," she said,
ashamed of her feeling, yet too honest to disavow it.
"And Mr. Weir, so pale and shattered, is scarcely the
handsome dashing bridegroom I first saw. But I won't
have you think me weaker than I am. If " — her voice shook
a little in embarrassment — " if I — if Amy had been engaged,
not married, and he had come to her mutilated — aye,
even as fearfully deformed as my friend and Leo's there —
I would have held her bound, and doubly bound, to keep
her faith. And even if her love had been less than true
316 BAXDOLPII UOXOR.
love is, I well believe her womanhood could find a sweet-
ness in its self-devotion. But I think the love could hardly
be the same."
" ' To know thyself is the true wisdom,' " Ruthven Erie
ironically said, looking down with an amused expression on
the fairy who thus declared for the thornless roses of this
world, while she daily stooped to weed the briers from the
path of others.
But upon another listener her speech fell differently.
"Leo's friend," still in the same position, had fixed a
furtive gaze upon her as she spoke. His dark face darkened
more and more at every word. Only once a passing gleam
flashed over it, with a flush of crimson. And a hasty
gesture escaped him, as if he would have reached forth a
hand to her. She was saying, "I would have held her
bound, and doubly bound, to keep her faith" — " a sweetness
in its self-devotion."
But no one cared to cast one glance his way. Fadette
had raised her eyes deprecatingly to Ruthven with a timid
appeal to his indulgence. Ruthven met them with a long
full gaze of tenderness. And the hunchback's arm fell
heavily to his side. He moved apart, and took his station
at the entrance.
Day was wearing on to evening, almost unvarying in the
cavern. Ruthven Erie had been abroad to reconnoitre, and
had reason to believe it hardly yet was safe to venture
forth. The circle round the fire was cheerful enough, and
the hunchback still kept watch apart.
Suddenly in the distance, faint and far, just creeping
through the covert, came the baying of a dog. The hunch-
back alone heard. Stealthily and unperceived he left the
cave, and passed on where the entrance opened to the twi-
light air. He listened. Aye, the baying still — and it was
nAynoLPii honor 317
Loo^s, lie distinguished plainly. But another sound was
mingled with it. Near and nearer, up the rocks, and
througli the tangled underwood, there came the ringing fall
of horses' hoofs — the clash of arms against the overhanging
boughs across the way. Leo, faithful Leo, leading on the
enemy to this last shelter.
The listener paused one moment, hesitating.
" A life for a life !" he muttered between his teeth. " It
shall be so, since she — she loves him ! Yet, O Fadette, if
you but knew — "
The words were stifled with the thought. He thrust
aside the bushes hastily, sprang down the crag, and. flung
liimself from clifl" to thicket, rock, and scaur, in headlong
haste to meet the still approaching sound. A clear shrill
wdiistle, and the dog had at a bound leaped on his friend,
in frantic joy.
With one firm grasp upon the collar of the animal, he
stood to meet the horsemen who dashed up.
" On the right track at last !" the foremost cried, wdth a
ringing halloo to the comrades in his rear. " The dog has
found his idiot master, and wall quickly ferret out the
camp itself. Out of the way there !" he shouted to the
hunchback.
But the latter made no motion to give w^ay. He merely
raised his right hand, and removed the hat which he had
heretofore so closely worn. The soldier halted and sur-
veyed him curiously.
A broad white scar crossed the straight forehead, and
seamed the right cheek to the dense black beard. The
dark eyes fixed themselves upon the soldiers riding up, with
a cool steadiness most strangely unlike the wavering of an
idiot. He w^aited till the tumult knew an instant's lull,
and every gaze was on him. Then he s^^oke in clear,
deliberate tones :
318 BAXDOLPn IIOXOR.
" So ! You stare in doubt upon each otlier. You are
right — the idiot is gone. You look aghast. Do you re-
member how often, to make a mockery of him, you have
dragged him to your camp, until he has heard your plans,
and seen your strength and weakness? Many an ambush
of the outlawed rebels he has decoyed you into. Many a
shot among them he has had at you, and head and hands
has been to them for months and months. But" — he added
with a rapid change of tone, perceiving that the first pause
of astonishment was giving way to fury, and that many a
brow was threateningly knit, and many a grasp clenched
A'ehemently upon sword and pistol — "but those whom I
have seiwed most faithfully heap on me a bitter wrong. At
this moment full revenge is in my reach."
He stopped short, stifling back his agitation.
The men looked angrily upon him. But they only saw
corroboration of his story in the darkly flushing brow, the
laboring chest, the fierce outlook as of a hunted stag at
bay. They were blind to the heroic honor which had sent
him forth thus to stand between them and their unconscious
prey. Stunned in the maddened conflict between baflfled
love and jealousy and vengeance, that honor had yet roused
before it was too late.
He resumed more calmly :
"They have escaped you this once. But bring me to
your captain, and I can, to fill my own revenge, enable you
to wreak your own. I alone can track them to their lair.
What, you distrust me? There — I am unarmed and in
your power. You have sometimes followed blindly in my
way. I put myself in yours."
With this, he laid his pistols on the ground, and stood
defenceless there among them. His words were the words
of a traitor. His eyes were filled with the glorious light of
a martyr. The deed he spoke of, was a deed of shame.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 319
His bearing had tliat proud nobility which checked the
taunts upon his captors' lips, and for a moment inspired a
respect oblivious of his deformity. And still he kept a
detaining hold on Leo, who was now curbed to his control,
and followed, Avhen between his guards he was led down
and so across the prairie, to the distant village where he
might betray his comrades to the officer in command.
Under cover of that night, Ruthven Erie led to a friend's
protecting roof the houseless wanderers from Prairie-Combe,
And ere the dawn had broken, he rode safely on his way to
join the northward-marching army under Price.
CHAPTER XXIII.
RANDOLPH HOXOR.
' He leans upon his hand ; his manly brow
Consents to death, but conquers agony,
And his drooped head sinks gradually low :
And through his side, the last drops, ebbing slow
From the red gash, fall heavy one by one,
Like the first of a thunder-shower ; and now
The arena swims around him—"'
Childe Harold.
UXT JAXET, I wish to speak to you a moment."
Mrs. Rutledge looked up at these words, uttered
in a calm, cold, expressionless voice. She saw Fa-
dette standing in the doorway, the very embodiment of her
tone.
Matoaca's work fell in her lap.
" Is any thing the matter ?" she asked, anxiously.
Mrs. Rutledge rose from her packing, for it was the
second day since they had taken refuge with their friend,
and on the morrow they must leave for a new home in St.
Louis. And as she rose, Fadette, as though she had heard
nothing, led the way from the room without reply.
At first she had turned toward her own chamber, but with
instinctive longing for fresh air, she passed out upon the
piazza, and speechlessly extended to her aunt an open letter
which she had held concealed in the folds of her dress.
Mrs. Rutledge straightened it out slowly, with undefined
apprehension, and read :
I do not know, Fadette, if in T^-riting to you now, I am
EANDOLPII HONOR 321
most selfish or most generous. Certain it is, that when my
prison-keepers granted my request, and gave me pen and
paper, only a wild thirst for revenge, a will that you your-
self should know some measure of my wretchedness, was in
my mind. For, Fadette, through all my doubt of you, and
all my anger, and through all the unwitting tortures you
have heaped upon me, I have never doubted that, should
sorrow touch me nearly, it would bring a pang to you.
This is my revenge. But wdll you not too surely count it
for generosity, that I here release you from all promise
made to me ? Whether I could ever have resolved to do
so — whether I could w^ith my free-will have foregone all
hope in life, I cannot tell. But death resolves for me. I
am a prisoner, and not only a prisoner, but a condemned
and outlawed guerrilla. You know^ then my fate. Tell
my brother, thus I fill the measure of my duty to my coun-
try. Living, I could do her little service. Dead, I shall
have sealed in blood another testimony to the right, and
joined the martyr-ranks which make her strong. With
death already at my heart, I ask you to forgive, and to
think lovingly of one who in life an4 in death is still faith-
fully yours,
"Lionel Randolph."
Mrs. Rutledge ended, and, much moved, gave it back
into the hand extended for it.
"My poor child" — she began, at a loss how to speak
w^ord of comfort to that passionless face. But there
w^as no time given. The pale lips parted in quiet utter-
ance :
" I am going to him at once. Xo, do not forbid it" —
as her aunt, looking doubtful, would have spoken — " I
should be sorry to disobey you, but I know that I am right.
I have already spoken to Mr. Thorne — he will go with me.
322 RAyDOLPJI HOXOR.
It is but a day's journey — I compelled his messenger to tell
me where."
" You will wait for me, Mr. Thonie. I must go in
alone," Fadette said quietly to the old gentleman, as a
soldier unbarred the door of the inner guard-room, where
was confined the prisoner she sought.
The door swung heavily open. She took one step for-
ward, and it closed again, with ominous clang, behind her.
Coming, as she did, from the strong glare of noon with-
out, the apartment in which she found herself, lighted solely
by a grating above the only entrance, was at first as utter
darkness. But presently through the gloom she distin-
guished the four walls, the dank stone floor, and a pallet at
the further end. From this a figure now slowly lifted
itself — then as slowly sank back. She sprang forward,
" Lionel ! Lionel !" she cried.
She was at his side — an instant, and she would have
flung herself upon her knees before him. But she drew
back hurriedly, astonished. The hunchback " innocent"
was he who met her view. Seated on the pallet's edge, his
head bowed down upon his hands, he never stirred at her
approach. She paused a moment in bewildemient. And
then there flashed a thought across her mind, which deep-
ened into a con^dction. Lionel had made good his escape
by means of this poor creature, who could not fail to be
released.
" Thank God ! thank God ! it must be so !" she cried
aloud. And the tears, so long pent up in her benumbed
heart, came in a rushing torrent, well-nigh painful in its
sudden strain of joy.
But she checked her emotion, and conquering a shudder
of aversion, placed her hand upon the poor misshapen
shoulder before her. She said urgently, in a commanding
RANDOLPU HONOR. 323
tone, which he had sometimes seemed to compreliend in a
degree :
" lias he gone ? Did he leave you here, and — "
Her speech died in a gasp. Her hand fell from his shoul-
der. Her parted lips grew white with terror. She shrank
and trembled there before him, in unreasoning dread, fear
of she knew not what. For he had raised his head and
fixed his eyes upon her, for the first time with a full, un-
shadowed, and unvarying gaze.
No idiot's — she felt at once.
He rose up, still thus looking on her.
" Do you know^ me now at last, Fadette ?" he said.
And still she never moved, and still -the dread grew
stronger, ghastlier, upon her face.
" Why have you come ? I would have died^and left you
ignorant of my death, but that I wished to set you free. I
could have died more tranquilly without the pang of seeing
you again shrink from me thus — without the pang of know-
ing you must henceforth associate this maimed, misshapen
wretch — "
" Oh, Lionel !" she moaned at last. And she staggered
one step forward, and clasped his arm with both her hands,
a wild beseeching in her lifted eyes, from which the tears
were dropping now.
The dark anger deepened on his brow. He would have
shaken her off, but that she seemed so pale, so helpless.
He said, instead :
" Hardly Lionel. Rather, an infatuated fool, who —
struck from his horse in battle, and flung headlong with
the dying brute far down a fearful steep — maimed thus in
the fall — discharged as worthless to his country — still
dreamed all life might not be over, and that, deformed and
ghastly as he was, there was still one — "
" Hush, Lionel, dear Lionel," she sobbed. " There is
324 EAXDOLPH UOXOR
still one. We shall manage to free you from this place,
and then — and then — "
She felt the bond of long-ago, the breaking cords of
which she now joined firmly thus together, closing about
her with a pressure which almost suffocated her. He saw
how she breathed hard and struggled for composure. He
laughed in bitter n|ockery.
"And Paithven Erie V' he said.
She quailed from his words as if they had been blows.
Involuntarily, she loosed her clasp. He went on, watching
in hot wrath her drooping varying face.
" As well you did not wait for misfortune, which ends all
love, to break off yours. What, you would deny it ? Do
you not know, then, how the contemned idiot has watched?
how he has lingered by you, though your every ■♦word,
your every smile, was sharper than the death-pang ? Your
woman's way — only your innocent woman's way — luring
us on with your soft replies, your downcast girlish glances,
until: — Well, you dearly love us, and sisterly, while we —
God have mercy on us poor devils, for you have none."
Blushing indignant crimson, Fadette raised her head, and
looking at him steadfastly, she spoke in clear tones :
" Lionel, when you say that of me, you know you do not
say truth. Until you yourself would have it otherwise,
you were but a brother to my thoughts. The sincerity of
what I did then, you dare not question. And if you have
so watched, you know that he and I have stood as widely
separated as if — as if — ," she Altered, while her color deep-
ened. " But I will not attempt," she broke off with some
pride, " to justify that which stands justified before my own
conscience and before yours, when passion does not blind
you."
A long pause followed. Fadette had begun to repent
RANDOLPH HONOR. 325
her hasty words, when he said, in tones as cold as hers had
been—
" Leave me now, Fadette. I thank you for coming, but
now I must be left alone. My letter contained all I wish
to say to ray brother ; and for you, I must ask you to for-
2:ive. Forgive me, Fadette ; a few hours hence would ex-
piate greater sins than mine."
" Lionel, what do you mean ? Before this night is over,
I will have arranged a way for your escape. You will
surely, surely not refuse it ? Have you a right to throw
away your life?" she cried tremblingly, as he shook his
head.
He regarded her with a strange smile.
" That has already passed out of my keeping, and out of
yours," he said. " There are circumstances, known too well
to me, though not to you, which render any plan, however
well arranged, perfectly impracticable. You have done, in
thus coming to me, all that in any possibility can be done
— far more than I dared hope. But — " afid his tones were
hurried, and he turned away, restlessly measuring the pave-
ment with strides that echoed irregularly — " you need not
waste another regret on me ; welcome these fetters" — as
thev clanked with his hasty movement — " welcome even the
death-hour, with its gaping crowds, its flaring steel, its —
anything, everything, before life, and life only, at your
hands," he ended hoarsely.
She could not speak. She only sank down, bowled be-
neath a great despair.
He passed her in his pacing to and fro. Their glances
met, and he was softened by the mute appeal of hers.
" Fadette, dearest, I was mad to grieve you thus," he
cried.
"What circumstances, Lionel? It cannot, cannot be !"
326 BAXDOLPU HONOR
He sat beside her on the couch, and passed his arm around
her in a quietly caressing way.
" Dearest," he said, " will you not believe me when I tell
you in sad truth that they are such as render all escape im-
possible? These are my last moments, Fadette, these few
with you — the last I care to live of those remaining," he
amended hastily, as she started. " And you will not waste
them on vain questions, which can bring but painful asso-
ciations? Rather let my little sister speak to me of dear
old Randolph Honor, in the days when she was all my own,
and life was one long holiday. Those ties, Fadette — you
need not break them now ? When you are bound by newer
ones, they will still be dear to you."
She laid her head upon his shoiilder, weeping wildly.
" Lionel ! O Lionel ! I cannot let you go !" she moaned.
After a time her grief had spent its violence, and she
leaned against him like a tired child, while sobs ever and
anon shook her, the crimson lips still quivered, and tears
yet welled up in* the great dark eyes fixed upon vacancy.
Then she roused herself, struck by a sudden doubt. She
cried out, in trembling earnestness —
" You are not deceiving me or yourself, Lionel ? You
could not be so cruel."
He raised her hand clasped fast in his.
" God be my witness," he responded solemnly, " that I
but speak the truth. Were life a priceless boon to me, it
were yet beyond my reach."
" Ah, I Tvill plead for it upon my bended knees ! They
cannot, they shall not deny me !" she said passionately.
He smiled in pity down upon her, drawing her yet closer
to his side. From his gesture and his smile, she read how
futile to him seemed her promise. L^nshaken in that,
though faltering in her hope, her face darkened after.
They sat thus, speechless, only holding by each other's
RANDOLPH HONOR. 32Y
hands, as though that were all the grasp they both had
upon life — all the hold that kept them both from drifting to
despair.
She took no note of time — no thought of anything, save
that perhaps they parted now forever. But he seemed to
be listening to every sound without. He started and
breathed faster as often as a step approached. More than
once he admonished Fadette that it would be safer to delay
there no longer. Until she assured him the captain had
promised to summon her when she ought to go.
And silence fell again.
Then the door unclosed.
He, restless still, had caught the first approach, and had
put Fadette gently from him, before there entered Mr.
Thorne with an armed soldier. Fadette rose mechanically.
But Mr. Thorne led her to her seat again.
" No, my dear," he said ; " you will wait here — it is your
friend who is to go — "
Fadette did not note his hesitation, the trembling of the
hand detaining her, nor the horror which had stricken the
benign old face. She was looking at Lionel.
He stood before her, firmly and calmly — perhaps some-
what paler than but now, yet perfectly unmoved.
"They have sent for me, Fadette," he said. "The
captain has need of me a moment before you go. Remain
here until you are summoned."
" But you will come back — I shall see you again ?" she
cried, locking his hand in both of hers.
" Yes, yes — you shall see him again — ;just as long as you
choose," the guard made answer here.
Fadette caught at the words eagerly, perfectly uncon-
scious of the brutal leer accompanying.
" Lionel, Lionel, they must be going to release you !
Else why have they sent for you ?" she cried.
3 28 BAXDOLPH IIOXOR
And a gleam of hope flitted across her upturned face.
He made no answer, only pressed her hands closely as he
disengaged them.
" Remember," he said, bending over her, in a tone for
her ear alone, " you are my own. I hold you as my own
still while I live — still."
" Still yours," she answered solemnly, and far more
earnestly than in the former troth-plight.
A strange expression flashed into his eyes, and he moved
as if he would have caught her to him. Oblivious of any
standers-by, she raised her face to him simply and frankly,
as in childhood's parting she might have done. But a
cloud of melancholy gathered on his. With infinite tender-
ness he merely touched her hand again. Then —
" Till death us do part," he said. And turned hastily
away.
Her eyes followed him as he quitted the apartment, with
that tender pity which, as she had said, was far removed
from love, but with which she now dedicated herself to the
duty of a lifetime.
For as she sat there quietly, there seemed so little doubt
of a reprieve, so little doubt of ultimate release, that even
for one passing instant came the thought of Ruthven Erie.
It came, however, only to be resolutely put away.
Five, ten minutes, thus were gone, when footsteps passed
the door. Waiting there listlessly, the weight of fear in
great part lifted from her mind, she listened idly to the
voices. They were low at first ; then one exclaimed —
" What ! the execution already ? So soon ? These men
assembling now — "
At once the truth flashed on her. Her teriified grlance
sought Mr. Thorne. He stood there, his face covered,
averted from her.
She sprang up. And before he could comprehend her
RANDOLPH HONOR. 329
movement — before any bystander beside the door could
intercept — slie had rushed from the apartment, through tlie
guard-room, and had gained the outer door.
Coming out from the dingy prison-cell into the strong
noontide glare, she stood for one moment dazzled; faint
and dizzy also with the sudden terror. The next, her
straining, burning eyes were ware of a keener flash than
that of the unshadowed sun which basked down straight
upon the broad, wild, boundless prairie. A keener flash —
a gleam of glittering uplifted rifles. A file of men drawn
up to the left. And fronting them —
She started forward, a shriek striking apart the deathly
lips. But it died gaspingly upon them. For Lionel was
speaking.
With a gesture of command which overbore attempted
opposition, he stood there. His eyes were flashing, his brow
flushing, his voice rang clear, and strong, and full, with not
one faltering of fear. No man who watched him there had
thought for his deformity. The undaunted bearing — the
proud consciousness of right — the fearless outlook — the im-
press of truth on brow, and voice, and gesture — swayed
the crowd which gathered behind the soldiery. It was to
that crowd he looked, to that he spoke :
" Friends who love the South, bear witness — I who die
this day an outlaw's death, raise now before the Great
White Throne these fettered hands as stainless, reddened
only by the blood shed for our country in honorable war-
fare. God be my Judge, and our country's Avenger!
God save the South ! And receive my soul !"
With the words, he bent one knee on the rude coflin
where he had been standing. The uplifted hands dropped
with a clanking of the fetters. He bowed his head, await-
ing.
But a wild shriek rent the air. The young girl flung
330 RASDOLPU UOXOR.
herself before the ominous glitter of that musketry. Her
slight figure swayed and quivered in her passionate eager-
ness, her tender fury for the doomed man. Her eyes burned
with a strange unnatural brilliance, her cheek flushed, her
whole face lighted up with wondrous beauty and enthusiasm.
She stretched her hands out toward the throng.
" Save him ! save him !" she cried out, in tones that
thrilled the hearts of even foes. " You dare not let him
die. For God will punish you with them ! Oh, save him !"
He had started up erect at the first sound of that voice.
For the first time a tremor shook his frame. A glow of
tumultuous triumphant joy made instant glory on his face.
He stretched his arms out toward her — to warn back, or
claim her all his own.
But while the accents lingered on her lips, a strong grasp
seized her powerless, and dragged her back. And then —
A flash of lifted steel — a sharp and cruel ring which
pierced the flaunting noontide, and crashed and echoed in
repeated sound. But ere those echoes died — ere yet the
dense white cloud of smoke rolled by — Fadette had fallen
senseless to the earth.
^^^^^s
^^'^^H^^^^^M^^^^
CHAPTER XXIV.
ijq^ PRISON.
" My sun has set ; I dwell
In darkness, as a dead man out of sight ;
And none remains, not one, that I should tell
To him mine evil plight
This bitter night."
ChBISTDTA ROSSETTl.
WOMAN"! What the devil!" was the ejacula-
tion, muttered or mental, of most of the half-dozen
Confederate prisoners. The door of their cell was
swung suddenly open to admit a veiled woman's form thrust
in, and then as suddenly closed fast upon her.
As for the poor girl thus apostrophized, since that fear-
ful day she had passed through those which intervened,
with so little of life or thought remaining, that not until
the echoed footfalls of her guard died in the corridor with-
out, did she realize her situation.
She drew back her veil, and glanced wildly around.
The men had risen on her entrance. The noisy song was
hushed — a worn-out pack of cards was pushed away — and
one poor fellow struggled hastily into the gray coat which
might conceal his tattered shirt.
Some pity, yet more annoyance, had been legible on
every countenance. But now that the poor, pale face, with
those dark rings beneath the startled eyes, showed so deathly
wan and colorless, every one was moved to self-forgetful-
S82 RAXDOLPH HONOR.
ness. And several advanced, lest, trembling as she did, she
should fall.
Apart at the further end of the apartment, half-reclining,
leaning on his arm, a slender youth now turned to look at
the new-comer. Turned — and with an exclamation, that
might seem of mingled pain and pleasure, started to his
feet.
A mere stripling, as he stood before her. The firm red
lips were fringed with a moustache, but the smooth clieeks
had not yet lost the rosy bloom which still was glowing
through the sunburnt hue. Glowing deeper while he
paused before her there — paused as if he had abruptly
checked himself from some intent.
" What ! you know her. Hunter, then ? A friend of
yours ?"
The voice spoke low behind him. He drew back hur-
riedly from the comrade's arm which would have rested on
his shoulder. Deeper yet, and yet more hotly, surged the
blood up to the broad clear brow, where short brown hair
waved crisply from the temples. He hesitated. Then he
said in an unsteady tone —
" A friend ? You see she does not know me. But, poor
girl, poor girl, you are right — I, and you, and all here, are
her friends. Xow let us see what we can do for her — God
help her !"
If the shapely hand brushed ofi" a furtive tear, ere it
dashed back impatiently the tress which fell upon the brow,
the next instant it was busily at work, removing the most
comfortable of the pallets into a remote corner, disposing
a pair of blankets to serve as a screen, and malting the few
arrangements for comfort, which the united means of all
the soldiers there afforded. As they proffered cheerfully
their all, some one remarked, with a laugh, to the prime
mover and director —
RANDOLPH HONOR. 333
" \Vliat, Hunter ! putting up one of those two blankets,
of which you were so hcnt^on making to yourself a tent—
an oratory— or the devil knows what ?"
But Hunter merely shrugged his shoulders.
" No contribution from the captain yet," he said. " I
will Qjo wake him."
Stretched upon his blanket on the floor, one arm a pillow
for the head with its disordered rings of chestnut, the other
fluno- across his eyes to shut out the day which only just
was'fading into twilight, lay the sought-for man, sleeping
away thel:edium of the weary, changeless hours. The lad
bowed on one knee before him.
He called him—" Captain! Captain !"— twice or thrice.
But still there came no movement in reply.
"Hunter, you foolish boy!" here cried a comrade;
"your shield and safeguard slumbers like the seven
sleepers So—" and he advanced and shook him kindly,
yet soAewhat roughly, by the shoulders. But Hunter lent
no helping hand. He drew back, coloring agam, while with
a drowsy muttered " Oh, confound you— can't a fellow rest
in quiet?"— the shielding arm was impatiently withdrawn.
" Ah, Hunter, is it you ?" he said, more gently.
The face thus exposed to view was one familiar. It was
that of Harry— now Captain Harry— Thorne.
He shook himself free at once from sleep, and rose up,
stretching himself and yawning. And in so doing, he first
became aware of some unusual phase in the prison-lile
monotony. .
"Why, what is the row?" he cried, advancing to a
group of men.
But as these turned to meet him with an explanation,
Fadette was now discovered to his view.
His hasty forward movement, and his exclamation, were
both checked.
334 RANDOLPH HONOR.
For she sat there on the chair on which she had first
sunk do-v^Ti, almost unconscious. A death in life — so
ghastly was the rigidity of the features, and the eyes gazed
blankly out with the unmovedness of one to whom all hope,
all future, has its end.
When Harry Thome approached, and, beside himself
with distress, caught her hand, and prayed for but one
word, one sign that at the least she knew him, she turned
those stony eyes one instant on him. And in a hollow
tone, which sounded like the echo of a voice, she pronounced
his name, then sat on abstracted as before.
But Hunter was now bending over her.
" Drink," he said gently, putting to her lij^s a tin cup of
coffee which one had hastily made from the preparations
for the evening meal. She obeyed mechanically. But the
warm beverage brought no refreshing to her weary frame.
"With an effort she swallowed one mouthful, and looked up
with an attempted smile of gratitude, more piteous than
any tears.
Those men stood around her in reverent silence. Tears
coursed their way down unfamiliar cheeks, from eyes which
had gazed on a hundred battle-fields unmoved.
But she suffered the stripling, who quietly took authority,
to remove her hat with tender womanly touch. And in
utter exhaustion she sank, it seemed even tranquilly, upon
her pallet.
*" ■' "^ It 11 iiji n M, II ,/','''„ 'PC
1 n 11 n li n II II n " '" " " '" n
CHAPTER XXV.
AT WATCH.
So till the break of day
Then footsteps — "
Despised and Rejected.
ADETTE leaned in the
prison-chamber. Her
grated window of the
wan cheek was pressed
the bars, her great dark eyes, with the
rings beneath, were fixed with a vacant, horror-
black
stricken, yet almost unconscious immovability, upon the
scene without.
In the glimmering dawn the Missouri rolled its yellow
tides at the foot of the town, sweeping round the jutting
point of its ojDposite shores, on which she gazed. It was
not that she marked the glancing glitter of those crested
hurrying waves, or the rich plenty of those southwestern
banks, where the swaying glory of the harvest, now laid
low, stood in stacks and sheaves awaiting the ingathering.
But far, far away beyond, she traced, or seemed to trace,
that scarcely noted road along which she had been whirled,
and that broad sere prairie, with its weary waste of staring
sunshine, its swaying throng, its dazzling steel, the blood-
thirsty tiger-glare that flashed mercilessly. She made a
convulsive effort to check thought there. But back and
back it still would come. Last evening, the third of her
captivity, she for the first time, yielding with the instinct
of gratitude, had roused herself from that lethargy of woe
in which she had sunk upon her pallet, and had let her
336 JIA2\'D0LFII JIOSOB.
fellow-captives place her at tlie window for a breath of the
balmy autumn air. Yet her attention could not follow to
the sunset glory overhead, which the lad, his lip trembUng
with compassion, had pointed out. Instead, it had fallen
on the blood-red tides, and thence, across in the far dis-
tance, had seemed to fall upon that fearful plain. A quiver
had flitted across the set features, and she had broken
into an uncontrollable agony of weeping — the first tears
shed. With the early dawn, after the short heavy sleep of
exhaustion, she now stole from her screened couch, without
a glance on the men, who yet slumbered, stretched out
wrapped in their blankets ; or on the stripling who lay at
her couch's foot, as if to guard it;
That aching tension upon brain and eyes, again was
pressing down so heavily, that with unconscious longing
for the tears last night had brought, she returned to the
window where they had come to her, like a mist that
drifted and gathered slowly from that plain afar, which yet
was ever present to her shuddering sight.
The fresh eninor breath of dawnins^ brousrht no cool-
ness to her fevered cheek, nor to her parched lips. The
rosy glow of coming day touched her with no sense of
brightness, though it blushed far to the southwestern hori-
zon toward which she gazed. Through the hush of sleep
which still enchained the town, the ripple of the ruffling
waves surged with a restful murmur, and the breeze that
thus passed over, bore on with it a waft of harvest-fields
and mellowed prairie-pastures, beneath the fresh sweet
dews of morning. Yet these fell on deadened senses. She
yet leaned there with that rigid mouth, those burnmg eyes,
that fever-heightened color.
A light touch fell upon her shoulder. She did not heed
at first. But she started when a voice at her side pro-
nounced her name in a low distinct tone.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 337
The stripling who had been ever beside her, with that
gentle care, that tender guardianship, now bent over, and
spoke her name again.
" You do not know me," he said, as the girl raised her
head with a vacant outlook in the eyes that yet burned
themselves free from tears.
She did not speak, but still kept them fixed there, uncon-
sciously, as it were.
" Have you forgotten Beauregard — your friends at Sleepy
Hollow — and — at the Homestead ?"
Into the upraised eyes there swept a sudden shadow, and
over the rigid face a cloud, and the cloud dissolved in a
storm of tears, and the head dropped upon the arms flung
wildly on the window-sill. Her choked voice gasped out :
" Poor Charley — poor Charley ! They murdered her
loved ones too before her."
Her face thus turned away, and her thoughts reverting
to her own ghastly misery, she could not see the emotion
which convulsed the wonted calm of her companion, heaved
the breast, and clenched the firm white hand that had
just touched Fadette's shoulder, while his teeth set hard,
almost grinding together in the struggle for composure.
But in a moment that flashing glance was softened with
tender drops of pity, as Fadette's fast-quivering but voice-
less sobs shook her slight frame. Upon one knee he sank
beside her.
"Aye indeed, poor Charlie !" he said in suppressed tones.
"Alone in the world, without one to love and care for,
without one to strive and struggle for ! Can you see how,
when these fiends at last unbound her fetters, and left her
with a jeer, she staggered across, and sank beside her dead ?
How, one hand above her white-haired father's charred and
blackened corpse, the other stroking back the clotted
golden curls of her young brother, whose head, death-
15
338 RANDOLPH HOXOR.
heavy, she had lifted to her knee, she should in their pres-
ence thus take solemn oath, that while a blow remained to
be struck for their country against such murderous wretches,
all her s.trength should go to strike that blow ? Can you
see how, when her dead were laid in their last resting-place,
heaven's free winds and dews alone could cool her burning
brain, and the fulfilment of her vow alone bring comfort to
her ? Can you see how she came in her disguise among
her old familiar friends, beside Ruthven Erie and Harry
Thorne marched and fought shoulder to shoulder as any
other comrade, — was at last captured with Harry Thorne,
and—"
" Charley ! Charley !'' cried Fadette.
She had been looking on her companion in perplexity
and wonder, which increased with every word.
"Aye, Charley — " and the hand outstretched with trem-
bling eagerness was taken in a firm close hold.
"But, remember," Charley said, quickly, "I am Charley
only to you. You must guard my secret well. It has
never been suspected."
"Oh, Charley, how could you keep it thus, so long?"
Fadette asked, completely roused and interested.
" Xot quite an age," Charley replied, smiling, as she saw
how successful had been her aim in discovering herself.
" From the time of my joining the army under General
Price in Arkansas, to my capture in Missouri, was but one
month. And I warrant you, I withheld myself so much
from my comrades, that I was pronounced toploftical. Bui
this drcAV less attention, since we were pauselessly on the
march, and I kept my place close to Captain Thorne, who
pitied me for a poor young lad first venturing from home,
and took me under his shadow. After we had crossed the
Missouri line, and the entire army concentrated at Freder-
icktown, Mr. Erie, who had made his way in advance fron\
RANDOLPH HONOR. 339
Arkansas, rejoined us, and he fell into Mr. Thome's view
of my position. So that I had two very efficient patrons.
Indeed, in the only battle in which we fought side by side,
it seemed tliat both, and Mr. Erie especially, had an idea it
was their duty to see that this sapling, setting up to be an
oak, was not cut down. Does not the bark hide well the
lack of j3ith within ?"
" Such a metamorphosis ! You so fair, and now so dark —
a moustache — "
" Much fiercer when I first adopted it. So fierce indeed,
that on my first martial appearance in that and a most war-
like plumed hat, there went across from camp-fire to camp-
fire the greeting, " Come out from behind that moustache —
we see your boots sticking out" — and a crowing as of all the
roosters in Christendom. I stopped short, perfectly be-
wildered, and aghast at this unthought-of phase of military
life. But at that moment Captain Thorne came by. He
saw my consternation, and asked the cause, when a shout
replied — 'Been at old White's henroost. Captain— see that
rooster's tail sticking out of his hat.' It seems, the Captain
had the day before arrested some of the men for that very
deed. And when he ordered me to follow to his tent, after
us came — ' See, boys, chicken-soup for the whole shebang
going into the Captain's tent— cock-a-ra-a.' You may
imagine I speedily let the rooster fly. But I did not lose
with it my name of chicken-coop. And cock-a-ra-a was
sung out many a time after Captain Thorne, whose good-
humored recognition of the title made him still more popu-
lar. But I think if any one had that day hinted the other
popular saying, ' Here's your mule' — I would have given up
on the spot, convinced that the long ears were pricking out
of my lion's skin."
" And you have actually been in a battle ?" said Fadette,
on whom the mention of Ruthven Erie had not been lost.
340 RANDOLPH HONOR
" What, did you think I would go to the army as a dead-
head ? An account of it ? Certainly, from the word go, if
you care to hear it.
" After we had left Fredericktown behind, and General
Shelby had been detached with purpose to destroy the
Iron-Mountain Railroad, we took up the line of march for
Ironton. Xothing of interest occurred beyond an occa-
sional skirmish with roying bands of ' Home Guards,' until
we arriyed in the yicinity of Arcadia, near Ironton, which,
though well fortified and garrisoned by yeteran troops, soon
yielded to the rebels' impetuous attack. The enenay, closely
pursued by our cayalry, retreated northward through the
little town of Ironton, and finally took position in the fort
at Pilot Knob. About ten o'clock our Diyision arriyed at
Ironton, and while General Fagan's was being dismounted
and formed across the road and yalley leading from Ironton
to Pilot Knob, ours was dismounted and marched to the
summit of Shepherd's Mountain, in full yiew of the enemy's
position, fort, and the town of Pilot Knob. From the crest
of the mountain to the centre of the fort was about fifteen
hundred yards, and from Fagan's position to the fort was
nearly the same.
" Shepherd's Mountain, facing the enemy, had been par-
tially cleared of timber, leaying the huge boulders jutting
out of the steep decliyity, which might seem the work of
some terrible earthquake.
" Eyerything was now in readiness for the assault, each
and eyery one anxiously awaiting the signal-guns. There
were in the fort from thirteen to fourteen hundred yeteran
infantry, and artillerymen to man sixteen guns, four of
which were siege-pieces, capable of being brought to bear
on any point — "
" Oh, Charley," Fadette here interposed, " how learnedly
RANDOLPH HONOR 341
you discuss things which would have been enough to terrify
another girl to death."
" Do you tliink I was born in the woods to be scared by
an owl ? ]>iit, however —
" Shortly after two, General Fagan opened with his two
guns, the bugles sounded the advance, and the entire line
rushed forward. General Fagan's Division coming up from
the southeast, and General Marmaduke's Missourians de-
scending the mountain from the south. Gallantly our line
pushed on in face of a murderous shower of shot, shell, and
canister. . The heroic Cabell had his horse killed under him
within fifty yards of the fort, and, sword in hand, headed
his brigade on foot. At last the ditch encircling the fort
was reached, and to our utter dismay was found to be im-
passable— twelve feet wide, ten deep, and to the top of the
embankment at least fifteen feet. The only poem I ever
knew flashed over me:
" ' Forward, tlie Light Brigade !
Charge for the guns !' he said :
Into the valley of death
Rode the six hundred.
"Beyond a doubt we were gone up for ninety, if we
remained. Our situation was one of great peril. Every
volley thinned our ranks. There was nothing left, but,
under a storm of deathly missiles, to recross that bloody
valley, and up that steep acclivity, where the rocks yet
bear the crimson stain left by many an unknown hero.
" The troops of both Divisions, weary and worn as they
-were, camped for the night in and around Ironton, and in
the mean time ladders were to be prepared on which at dawn
to scale the walls of the stronghold. All orders were
issued for the second attack. The night was clear and
342 BANDOLPH UOXOR.
cold, and the moon shone brightly over the sleeping army,
and the mountains where, it seemed to sleepless me, still
rang the concussions which only a few hours since had
shaken them to their very centres. The moon went down
about two o'clock, and not long after the whole earth
rocked with an explosion. The Federal commander had
blown up the fort, abandoned his position and artillery, his
sick and wounded, and vamosed northward at a howling
pace. "We were speedily in pursuit, and alas for ]Mr.
Thorne and me, a skirmish sealed our fate. TV^e were sent
here prisoners."
" And did you feel no fe^ar in battle ?"
"Must I confess it?— no little at first. The first fire
nearly fanned me right out of my cavalry boots. But
courage as well as cowardice is contagious. When Harry
Thome's sword flashed before me, and Ruthven Erie aimed
steadily at my side — Oh, how grand he is in battle — "
" He ? Who ?" Fadette inquired.
Charley blushed crimson, and laughed.
" Why — ^both, of course. Fine child, fine child, both.
But I defy any one not to be enthused beside brave men.
And when they fell around, who would not strike in just
avenging ? And I had more, far more, to nerve me," she
added in a husky voice.
Fadette laid her hand softly upon Charley's, and tears
trembled on her lashes.
But Charley shook herself free from thoughts she dared
not harbor.
" It is a great promoter of valor, that idea of keeping a
guard on your own meat-house," she said lightly. " And
now I am going to make a wonderful confession, which I
shall expect you to keep profoundly secret. You will prob-
ably understand that I went into the army in the convic-
tion that Pharaoh's order concerning the boys was the
RANDOLPH nONOB. 343
wisest mandate ever issued, and that women were not per-
mitted to go into battle, merely because tliey were too
valuable to risk. But my judgment was very like a warped
piece of liomespun, which wanted the filling. Experience
has woven in quite another thread of ideas, which, as it is
not putting new cloth into old garments, but merely filling
up the warp, may be expected to hold together. I still
firmly believe that, to keep my parable of the loom, women
have a very material part in the web of this world, but — it
is to fill the interstices between the men ; and — the men are
very right to hold them fast in their position. Yes," she
added shamefacedly, " we are formidable as Manassas'
wooden guns, which may keep a timid enemy in check
until he summons resolution to approach.''
" Is that spoken of your campaigning ? Charley, this dis-
guise is more perfect than Confederate gray."
" No, not of campaigning exactly. I will still affirm I
struck some blows. But I did not take the starch out of
every masculine collar, as I half anticipated. Very like
the snips — nine Charley Goodfellows would make a man.
And if 1 were not played out so completely here, I think
perhaps — perhaps — my oath would be best kept by nursing
in the hospitals, and thus restoring others to strike stronger
blows than mine."
A silence followed. Into Fadette's eyes came once more
the troubled cloud of memory. They wandered back, ab-
stracted, to the view across the river, ending in imagina-
tion in that field of blood. Charley spoke to her, all un-
heard. But while she was revolving how to rouse her,
from the street below arose a hurried tread of many feet,
excited tones, a rushing tumult.
Fadette sprang up, the blood returning to her face.
" Hark, Charley, hark !" she cried. " Pid you not hear
*the rebels' — can it be possible that our troops are coming ?"
344 RANDOLPH UOXOR.
Charley listened, her cheek too aglow.
With every moment did the sounds increase. And now
the thunder of artillery burst forth.
It startled one and all of the captives to their feet. They
crowded round the further window. Harry Thorne was at
this one in a moment.
" Hunter, Hunter, we are free I" he cried in great excite-
ment, claj^jjing his ci-devant brother-in-arms enthusiastically
upon the shoulder.
Charley shrank back, glancing at Fadette with embar-
rassment. But she recollected herself sufficiently to reply
in her accustomed tone —
" Yet Glasgow is well fortified and strongly garrisoned
— its walls are bristling with cannon, and — Great Heaven,
Mr. Thorne, how can we listen to those guns, and know our
men are falling, and we cannot help them ?"
Her blue eyes flashed fire as she spoke. She stood up,
quivering with eagerness, her color burning brighter.
Harry Thorne, whose pulse had bounded higher on a
hundred battle-fields to those same echoes, and who now
was striding back and forth like an angry lion chafing
against his prison-walls, stood still and looked at her ap-
provingly.
" Of such as you are heroes made," he said, and wrung
the hand she clenched upon her breast.
He cast a j^itying glance upon Fadette, who on her knees
before the window watched the wreaths of smoke that
wavered here across the sky at every volley, and were all
that told the captives of the battle's ebb and flow. Tears
shut the vision out from time to time, and coursed each
other down her death-white cheeks. Her pale lips mur-
mured broken prayei^s and sobs, and now a stifled moan,
when louder than before crashed forth the fierce artillery.
Each thunder-peal that shook the air, and made the little
EANDOLPU HONOR. 345
city totter to its centre, struck upon and shattered the ii^irl's
very heart. Never before had she been within ear-shot of
a battle, and every surging shock, it seemed to her, rolled
on laden with destruction, and must sweep away whole
ranks of the brave men breasting it. No life of all laid
freely down for Southern Freedom was indifferent to her,
and in her most unthinking days she had been wont to pray
for them with heartfelt earnestness. And foremost in the
conflict now, she seemed to see Ruthven Erie, still press-
ing on.
Little of the heroine was in her aspect. And the fanci-
ful admiration which had come and gone at intervals
through Harry Thome's acquaintance, received, after sun-
dry wounds inflicted by her oblivion of him through her
captivity, its death-blow from her cowardice, as he be-
lieved it.
"If she had but a tithe of this boy's spirit," he com-
mented inly, " it would become her great dark eyes much
better than this fear."
Thus more than two hours went by heavily, each moment
bearing to the listeners the weight of years. The glow of
hope had never left young Thorne, the flush was still on
Charley's brow — when on the storm of conflict closed an
awful calm.
The raging of the fight had been appalling. But this
hush, as of the grave, was far more awful.
Moments passed, and all was o\^r. The suspense, to
those shut out from knowledge of the issue, was unbear-
able. Harry Thorne shook the door in frenzy. But its
iron bolts and studded panels remained firm. Charley
stood with fingers clenched together to compel herself to
quiet. And Fadette was waiting, holding by the wall,
swaying and shivering at every sound that entered through
the street below.
15*
343 RAXDOLPU UOXOR.
And noT\- a sound was really coming near. P'ootsteps,
and ringing spurs, and steel, upon the stairs. Bolt after
bolt withdrawn along the corridor. And now at last this
door —
Fadette was powerless to move. She only shivered,
staggering where she stood, and gazing wildly round with
dilated eyes. And must have fallen — but that Ruthven
Erie in one swift stride had caugfht her in his arms.
:^^5^
^ v^v^^.^^^T^' 4o^^ > ij»*ftjMr :;;^
CHAPTER XXYI.
ON THE MARCH.
. , . . " Gird his harness on him,
And ride with him to battle, and stand by
And watch his mightful hand striking great blows."
Enid,
HE sun had gone down on Glasgow at peace.
After a hotly contested combat, that town's com-
manding General, perceiving the intention of the
Confederates to carry the works by storm, had run up the
white flag, and surrendered his fourteen hundred men and
strong defences to the gallant General Clarke and his
thirteen hundred Missourians of the dashing Light Horse
Division. But the prisoners, although paroled for regular
exchange, were many of them soon again upon the " war-
path."
However, the substantial fruits of this victory were im-
mense— army stores, arms, cavalry horses, and bountiful
rations for the worn and weary troops.
Another day had come and gone, the Missouri had beeji
recrossed the Glasgow victors rejoined the main army,
and within a few miles of Lexington, Shelby had as usual
defeated the enemy in a severe engagement, and encamped
upon the battle-field, the entire army resting near.
And now another dawning flushed the skies.
Fadette was before the open tent, where two ladies,
wives of oflicers of the Division, waited, ready for the move
attendant upon early marching-orders. Under their care
348 liA:\DOLPH IIOXOR
had Rutliven placed her, when she trembled and shrank
from the thought of remaining alone at Glasgow until her
aunt should come to seek her — or till she should perhaps
be made a prisoner again. He had yielded to her pleading
to be taken to Amy, in the army's southward march. And
these lady-friends of his had cordially received her.
Beside her stood a tall, broad-shouldered girl, who in her
womanly attire was the Charley Gqpdfellow of old. The
metamor2)hosis was brought about by Ruthven Erie.
When, accompanied by the ci-devant Hunter, he had led
Fadette from the prison to a hotel parlor in the town, he
had suddenly turned to Charley, saying —
" And now, my dear Mr. Hunter, I must request you to
make way as speedily as possible for Miss Charley Good-
fellow. This request has been frequently upon my lips
since first we met at Fredericktown, but Miss Charley
would at that time have found it awkward to appear.
What, must I again abate somewhat of my zeal in attack-
ing the enemy, because of the necessity to parry and ward
in your defence ?"
And Charley, laughing and blushing, had been com-
pelled to repeat the admission confessed to Fadette a few
hours before, and reluctantly to acknowledge that since
even the two thousand stand of arms that day acquired
would not furnish nearly all the volunteers, every musket
could be put in stronger, abler hands than hers. A hint
that in her true capacity she could do far more service in
caring for the wounded, somewhat consoled her.
Why the two girls waited there, was presently made
evident as Ruthven Erie and Harry Thorne rode up. For
but a moment's pause, however. They were to march
immediately, their command being in front.
" Should you hear firing, do not be alarmed," said Ruth-
ven, as Fadette, a faint color stealing into her pale face,
RANDOLPH HONOR. 340
stood by and stroked his horse's mane, he in his haste still
mounted.
— " Blunt's Kansas forces, whose advance- was yesterday-
defeated, we may have to encounter probably to-day. Nay,
do not fear," as she looked up, and tried to speak with
quivering lips. " Remember, Ave are your vanguard. And
thus I ride forth your knight, bound to defend you."
He stooped, and gently drew from the hand that rested
trembling on the horse's neck, a glove which it had held.
He placed it against the black plume in his hat, secured by
a silver crescent, cross, and star, the badge of his brigade.
And grasping her passive fingers one instant firmly in his
own, meeting her timid eyes Avith one bright flashing
gleam of fearlessness, he put spurs to his horse, and speedily
had vanished from the wistful gaze which followed.
Harry Thorne had been the while at Charley's side, glan-
cing down on her from time to time with mingled admira-
tion and bewilderment. Her color was slightly heightened
by the embarrassment which his observation still occa-
sioned, since the identity of his comrade had been disclosed
to him at Glasgow. Her wonted composure of manner was
softened by that embarrassment, and her whole appearance
in such striking contradiction to the stripling who had
fought undaunted at his side, that the young soldier con-
tinually watched her with puzzled interest, and approval
of her present self, tinged by the remembrance of the strip-
ling's daring, and withal retiring womanliness. He felt a
growing satisfaction in the transformation. As Ruthven
Erie had possessed himself of Fadette's glove, Thorne had
stooped to beg the knot of ribbon with which Fadette had
decked out Charley. And she gave it with a smile and a
half sigh, and a warning that if he wore it, he must remem-
ber he had double blows to strike — those for himself, and
those his quondam comrade must now leave to him.
350 EAXDOLPH HOJS'OB.
The color surged over her face as she thus spoke ; and
over his, while he bowed low and rode away.
Upon the bank of the Little Blue River, hid from obser-
vation by a clump of low-branched trees, an ambulance had
halted. The pale-faced women who thus ventured nearer —
in view of that field where all their hopes were centred —
had seen the skirmish-line which crossed the stream, had
watched it drive the enemy's rear back to the west side of
the bottom, and beheld Blunt's forces, some three thousand
men, occupying the hills which overlooked the creek and
bottom. The brave "Light Horse Division" had soon
crossed, dismounted, formed, the bugles sounded the ad-
vance, and the whole line moved forward. The enemy's
position was one of great strength, for, besides his eleva-
tion, several stone fences ran parallel with the advancing
force, and gave his troops an excellent shelter.
"Look, look!" cried Charley, in excited haste, as she
now took possession of the field-glass ; " the Federals
waver — are dismayed ! For see how we sweep onward,
firmly and determined !"
However, the confusion was but momentary. From the
heights, artillery now thundered down, replied to by the
guns of the Confederates. An instant, and the lines were
within musket-range, and the conflict now began in earnest.
Volley followed volley, till the field was dark with smoke.
The heavy atmosphere came drifting even here, where still
those women, breathless, speechless, quivering to every
deep reverberation echoed long from ridge to ridge, gazed
movelessly through blinding tears. Many a hero went
down while they watched. Yet every loss but served to
make the thinned ranks more determined. Xow and then,
athwart the sulphurous mists, flashed out a gleam of steel,
and in the waver of the smoke was recosfnized a friend.
RANDOLPH HONOB. 351
Thus Harry Thorne was marked, and Ruthven Erie, in
thickest of the fight. Their general and his gallant staff
were seen, ever under the severest fire, encouraging the
troops so worthy of them. Yolley followed volley, yet the
foe still stood their ground.
" My God ! my God ! strike for us now !" cried Charley
suddenly.
There had been a momentary lull ; but she discerned its
import. The brigade was to be hurled against the enemy's
position.
That fearful fire, none who heard it may forget. Those
moments of suspense, while thunderous clouds wrapped
from the yearning sight that storm-black crest — how many
a daring deed was done before they passed ! Thrice in
that charge had Gen. Marmaduke his horse killed under
him. Again did Col. Greene add later laurels to those
won at Pilot Knob. And General , aye and many a
private, known alone in the proud memory of their com-
rades.
The moments passed. The death-dark mists rolled sul-
lenly away. And as they disappeared, revealed the dash-
ing " Light Horse," victors of those heights.
It was evening. The enemy had continued his retreat
beyond Independence, which town the Confederates occu-
pied, encamping for the night.
In a parlor of the principal hotel, Fadette was lounging
wearily upon the sofa. The triumph of the day was inter-
mingled with much of pain. The wounded men she had
been tending since the halt, so thi'onged her memory with
their ghastly sufferings, the stillness was so weighted with
their stifled groans, that moments lagged like hours while
she awaited Charley before going to her room.
She had been trying to read, but the strong light an-
352 RANDOLPH HONOB.
noyed lier. And now, lowering it to a half twilight, she
moved her seat to the open window, dropping her head
upon the sill, and welcoming the chill October air which
brushed against her throbbing temples.
As she rested there, her fingers, intertwined, sought, as
was their wont of late, that ring which bound her to a re-
membrance of the dead. She was twirling it idly round
her finger, when a step sounded close beside her. She
started, and in the movement the ring fell.
It was Ruthven Erie, who had been watching her some
moments ere he had drawn nearer, and who saw the lost
treasure flash across his path. An angry impulse urged
him to set his heel upon it. But he raised it from the car-
pet, and advanced.
Fadette's eyes met his. The color nished into her face.
For when she put her hand out for the ring, he placed
it on her finger as he had done that night upon the gallery
of the little backwoods cabin. Then, stronger still, came
back the memory of Lionel. And involuntarily she bent
her head and touched his gift, whose bond could hurt no
longer, with her lips.
The angry blood flushed Ruthven's brow.
" You are far more cruel than I thought you could be,"
he said hoarsely.
Recalled by his tone, she looked up. The haughtily re-
proachful glance which met her own, broke down all her
reserve. She stretched both hands out toward him, while
she cried —
"Mr. Erie ! When this alone is left to bind me still to
Lionel?"
" To Lionel ? And who is Lionel ? Is not this Lloyd
Randolph's ring ?" he demanded.
He would then have grasped the hands he had but now
refused to see. But she, with quick instinct feeling that
BANDOLPH HONOR 353
with the dead man's name upon her lips she could not yield
her hand to living lover, drew back, while with hesitating
utterance she told him how he had at first deceived hiir^-
self, and she had deepened his impression, always naming
Lionel by his alias.
He did not interrupt her with one word. For he had
both seen and understood her withdrawal. He looked
down on the lashes weighted low with tears for Lionel. A
deep true love within his heart, he stood aloof in reverence
of her sorrow.
Thus she had meant he should do. She felt his generosity,
as day by day she had grown surer of his love. Through
all her unfeigned grief for Lionel, there Avas the comfort of
this other's care, and now she rested under it, and needed
not a word or glance.
And needed not a word or glance. But in the days that
followed ? It has been said : " Eternity itself cannot give
back the loss struck from a moment."
She lingered, hardly stirring, till the door opened to ad-
mit Charley, with Captain Thorne and one of the ladies
under whose care were the young girls.
Fadette roused herself into gayety, to give the lie to any
trace of tears. And when Harry Thorne advanced, with
an embarrassed apology for the somewhat disordered state
of his dress, she swept him her prettiest courtesy, like her
old coquettish self of " Beauregard."
" Ah, Captain Thorne," she said, " our heroes
' crowned for vanquishing,
Should bear some dust from out the ring.'
But what news ? Do Ave march again to-morrow ?"
"Your say-so would declare for another day of Inde-
pendence ? But don't you know, to make inquiries of a
mere captain, is ' dropping buckets into empty wells ? ' "
354 BAXDOLPH UOXOK
" Xevertheless, ' I rede ye tent it,' " she responded gayly.
"But as for the dropping, we young ladies might reply,
' 'tis our vocation, Hal.' For, oh, the queries we put forth
to one and all, and either draw up nothing whatever, or
something far from truth. You are all too deep for even a
sounding !''
" What now ?" asked Charley, joining them with her
new friend — " Dropping buckets into empty wells, you say ?
Quite sure your buckets are not warped and leaky ? If so,
mend them before you accuse the wells."
"A Saul among the prophets!" Mr. Erie exclaimed.
" My dear Miss Charley, you are defending our maligned
sex!"
" Miss Charley is a powerful ally," began Captain Thorne,
well pleased.
"Fair and softly," she interrupted, in more confusion
than the occasion warranted ; " because you catch sight of
one puny shoat of an opinion, don't rest secure none of the
old rattlesnakes remain. Remember, the tribe was to bruise
men's heel — and you are none of you less vulnerable than
that ancient hero who — whose name I have forgotten,"
she ended, laughing.
CHAPTER XXVII.
EBB-TIDE.
Maimed and ruined 1 I watched beside,
As calm as lie the dead.
Another's image on his breast-
On mine, his fainting head.
Not Fortune'^ tide alone, but Love,
Had from his heart ebbed far—
A fresh love, strong beneath the moon.
Swept o'er the harbor-bar.
XCE more at dawn stood Rutliven Erie beside
Fadette.
... The Confederate army, sorely pressed by tre-
mendous odds, had continued on its march until it was now
encamped in Kansas, on the soil of natural enemies.
From the day the Confederates first crossed the line into
Missouri, to the night of the twenty-fourth of October, they
had engaged the foe thirty-eight different times. On as
many fi'elds they had raised "the shout of victory o'er and
o'er," and oftentimes had reaped the harvest of success.
They had received some seven thousand recruits, from
three to four thousand stand of arms, and many wagons
laden with the spoils of war. But at last the ammunition-
trains were well-nigh empty, thousands and thousands of
captured rounds having been expended. The veteran ranks
w^ere thinned at least one-fourth. And hostile hordes now
hovered on front, flank, and rear.
Kuthven's brow, as Fadette looked brightly up to him,
hopeful even in her anxiety, was clouded with the knowl-
356 BANDOLPH HONOR
edge that the total of eleven thousand armed men, with
hardly half a dozen rounds of ammunition, and horses
broken by long service, were feeble indeed to meet the
twenty thousand of fresh troops j^resently to be hurled
upon them.
Shelby was already on his line of march in front. The
cumbrous train was just about to move. And Ruthven
Erie one moment tarried there to say farewell.
To him it was a solemn moment. For the " Light Horse
Division" was to bring up the rear, with orders to hold the
enemy in check until the trains could be well under way.
And among that handful, who should breast " the crimson
tide of battle" to the end ?
The morning was clear, calm, and cold. Fadette leaned
from the ambulance Avhich waited for the other ladies. The
freshness of the hour brought a freshness to her cheek, a
quicker bounding to her pulses. The silver-gray light
across the far-spread prairie flowed level to the foot of
mounds at every few miles lifting themselves hundreds of
feet above the slumbering meads — ^here sere, there faintly
green aiid golden in their stillness. And over all was deep
tranquillity. Fadette turned cheerfully to Ruthven —
" Ah, Mr. Erie, can there be anything to dread to-day ?
All is so peaceful and so calm."
* Si ch'a bene sperar m'era cagione,
L'ora del tempo, e la dolce stagione.*
She quoted softly.
" And should the shining blue-coat enemy apjDcar, ablaze
with gilt and steel, would you then add,
' Di qiiella fera la gaietta pelle ?' "
he responded lightly.
" Xo, that I would not," she made answer with a shudder ;
RANDOLPH HONOR. 357
" only I trust we shall see nothing of them. But where do
you ride to-day, Mr. Erie ?"
" To guard the train," he said.
" Ah, then you will not be in danger."
He answered nothing, seeing that she had misunderstood.
But he almost regretted that reticence, when her friends
now came to take their places in the ambulance. For with
a sudden whim, and a mocking smile more like those so fain
of old, she refused her hand in parting to " the wagoner," and
waved him only a blithe aic revoir.
A blithe au revoir!
"To guard the train," the gallant "Light Horse" held
the rear, defending, with severe loss to the foe, the west
bank of the little creek which flowed between. And mov-
ing out at last from the skirting timber, "to guard the
train " they formed on the open prairie and met the Fed-
erals in force.
Once more "to guard the train," when its defenders
reached the high ridge commanding Mine Creek, and to
their utter consternation saw the wagons huddled together,
as it were, on the near side of the stream, without an in-
stant's faltering they stood to bear the brunt of overwhelm-
ing odds.
Upon this frail little battle- worn band of cavalry — there
had been no time to dismount — re-enforced by the brave
Fagan at the head of his column, were now hurled the
twenty thousand of the enemy. The whole earth rang be-
neath their tread — their twenty thousand sabres far out-
flashed the sunshine.
To meet this fierce array of steel, did Marmaduke lead
on the dauntless Eighth. And thus the two whom Charley
and Fadette deemed safe, were hand to hand mth the foe
in the unequal conflict. Hand to hand — yet for them not
358 BANDOLPH EONOE.
one thought arose from those two watchets praying with
full hearts for the stanch Confederates doing battle in
those impenetrable clouds of smoke which rolled and
gloomed upon the ridge.
And the train, thus rescued, passed the stream.
The storm, so long in gathering, now burst upon us.
The stars and bars floated bravely through it for a time,
but the odds were irresistible as ocean-billows. Whelmed
and swept away, our lines were broken. Yet not till many
had expended their last shot, and often at close quarters.
Individual deeds of gallantry were many, very many.
In the fierce red light of battle, how those high true souls
shone out ! Defeat, and ruin, and despair, and death —
these glared on them relentlessly, ablaze from the foeman's
serried ranks. There was now no hope — there could be
none. It was but life for life — the pouring of their hearts'
blood to redeem the comrades down below there on the
southward march. The resistless billows rolled upon them
and swept friend from friend. In the fearful Mahlstrom,
many and many a peerless life went down.
In the fiercest of the current, in the deadliest of the sul-
phurous surge — still following their General and his staff —
were Ruthven Erie and Harry Thorne.
The last flag of the South which waved upon that field
— the Crescent, Cross, and Star, out-flashing silver-white
against its blue — was borne and saved by Marmaduke's
escort.
The heroic Cabell was a prisoner. And as Marmaduke
surrendered to his captors an empty pistol, Ruthven Erie,
wielding one last blow, in hopeless rescue of his General,
fell heavily to the earth, his sword-arm shattered.
The fragments of the broken columns were collected on
the south side of Mine Creek. And when the night closed
RANDOLPH HONOR. ' 359
in, the ai*my was beyond the Marmiton, encamped for
rest.
The two young girls had been sitting together before the
tent in mournful silence.
" Oh, Charley, is it not strange that we hear nothing yet
of — Capt. Thome ?" Fadette asked at length, hesitating,
and with a quick impulse of gratitude to the darkness for
A^eiling the color she could feel mount upward to her brow.
" Yery strange that we hear nothing yet of — Mr. Erie,"
Charley rejoined with an arch glance, that was not alto-
gether thrown away in the flickering light of the camp-
fire. "A perfect no-account ! Ordered to ride with the
train, and yet they give us all day no sign of recognition,
no word of encourasjement ! What can be cfone with
them ? I shall just orderly seize upon the first passer-by
as escort, for I know we can be of use to the wounded, and
our two chaperons are engrossed with their own.
" What, Charley, you desire escort or chaperon ?"
Charley laughed, confusedly.
" When the bank once begins to cave in," she said, " you
might as well yoke the oxen to your house, for there is no
knowing where it will stop. But look ! Who is that ? —
Why, Mr. Thorne, it is not possible you have remembered
us at last ! And where is your chosen comrade, most
doughty squire of baggage-wagons ?"
" I — I thought — has not Erie been here ?" he said, ad-
vancing and looking around eagerly.
" Not he — Stay, whither away so fast ? We have been
waithig for you — can we not go to visit the wounded ?"
" Yes — yes — of course. But can you not wait — until — "
The darkness covered the expression of anxiety which
settled more heavily upon his face. Charley only thought
his manner hurried and abrupt.
360 RANDOLPH HONOR.
" No, that we cannot," she replied ; " but if you have not
time to take us, we two will go together. Come — "
She stood up, beckoning to Fadette.
But for all reply, he drew her hand within his arm.
This protecting care was a novelty to her, and she looked
at him curiously, doubting somewhat whether to remove
her hand. But presently, overworn with the fatigue and
the excitement of the day, she found herself leaning on him
with a sense of relief
They had walked but a short distance thus, out of the
camp-fire light, when Fadette suddenly stopped short.
" Look — look !" she cried. " There — there — Does he not
lie there like one dead ? Oh, Mr. Thorne !"
Before them, fallen prone beneath the shadow of a clump
of bushes, lay a man outstretched. The rigid outline, the
bared head thrown back, the arm dropped slack upon the
turf, resembled more the long last rest, than that which
many a wearied veteran was snatching now in haste. Har-
ry Thorne was in one instant at his side. While he stooped
to feel for some pulsation of the heart, Fadette approached,
and flashed the lantern which she carried full upon the
ghastly face.
With a long low wail, she sank upon her knees.
For the blaze revealed the fixed and death-like counte-
nance of Ruthven Erie.
She did not hear the cry of dread that broke from Char-
ley, nor the groan from Harry Thorne. She was uncon-
scious of the murmured consultation. And only when at
the young soldier's bidding Charley put her arm around
the drooping form, and would have raised and led her back
whence they had come, she roused and shook off her friend
impatiently.
" I will not leave him ! Go !" she cried. And again she
had forgotten all, except the death that seemed before her.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 3(51
She was presently aware that while Charley waited with
her, Captain Thorne had gone to seek a surgeon. .But she
drew no hope from that. Thus beneath the flickering moon-
beams on the dead autumnal leaves had Mr. Grahame lain.
Thus in the noontide glare, which flaunted on the ebbing
of the life-tide, Lionel had fallen. No ghastlier light than
now, had wavered upon either brow, no redder pool had
dyed the sod than that which gleamed upon the grasses
where she knelt.
But when the surgeon came, and taking Charley's place
at the right, opposite Fadette, after a silent examination
pronounced slowly,
" No — he is not dead" —
Fadette looked up, the color flashing back into her
face.
" Oh, Dr. Smith—" she began.
"No — a prisoner with our general," said the stranger.
" But we will see what we can do. This is your husband ?"
And he gave her a compassionate glance.
" No — but my cousin," she hesitated, — the claim she once
had scofled at, caught up now in trembling eagerness, lest
her right to stay beside him might not be awarded.
"Ah, that is better," he returned, apparently relieved.
"Your cousin, then, has only swooned. But" — and he
touched the right arm lying on the turf beside him — " this
must be amputated, and at once. You had best leave us.
I will send for you again when all is over."
A low faint moaning at the surgeon's touch just quivered
on the rigid parted lips. Consciousness had slowly been
reviving, and now his eyes unclosed upon Fadette. The
light had faded from her face again, a shudder shook her
frame. But she said firmly —
" I shall remain here. Do what must be done, at once."
He surveyed her doubtfully.
i6
362 BANDOLPn HONOR.
" You cannot bear it," he replied. " And if you should
give way — "
Across the helpless man she stretched her hand to hira.
" Do you see how steady it is ?" she said. " You must
trust me. I shall not fail you."
Her clear and resolute accents reassured him. And while
Harry Thorne drew near to his assistance, and Charley, her
lips set in determined self-control, upheld the lantern,
Fadette had turned again to Kuthven Erie.
He, thus wounded, captured, and escaping, as did maay
a one that day, not closely guarded, had followed fast and
far tlie anhy on its march, and, the goal attained at last,
had fallen from his horse, exhausted with the loss of blood.
He was still powerless to speak. But he had heard the
suro-eon's words. The ringr of the sursjical instruments as
they were taken forth, interpreted them yet more clearly to
his wandering senses. He riveted upon Fadette a gaze of
keenest agony. She met it with undaunted courage.
" Thank God it is not death !" she whispered.
And she laid her hand upon his brow, and smoothed
aside the waves of hair that clung sodankly to the temples,
which appeared already sharp and gaunt with pain.
His eyes were following her every movement, the fierce-
ness of their anguish passed away. Anon, with a strong
effort, his left hand moved toward hers. She understood,
and laid hers in it. And as she did so, the operation had
begun.
She had placed herself so facing him, that to observe the
surgeon's motions would have been to turn. And thus
when now the work commenced, and when the pang grew
keener and more keen, she only knew it by the hold that
tightened on her hand. That hold, which strengthened
him, strengthened her too. His gaze for not one instant
wavered from her face. And when her misery seemed too
RANDOLPH HONOR. 363
great to bear, and a cloud was gathering in her eyes, his
darkened so, that for his sake she forced herself to firmness.
Every sound of the instrument, each touch that jarred his
frame, she quivered under in her inmost heart, yet kept her
muscles steady. For he looked, he clung to her.
A low deep groan, at last. A deathlier shade stole over
the countenance so wan before.
*' He has swooned again," Fadette gasped out.
She clenched her disengaged hand upon her bosom,
struggling hard for fortitude. A sense of suffocation, a
panting for breath, seized on her. Another moment, and
she would have lost all self-control. But the surgeon's firm
tone recalled her —
" Steady one moment longer, it is almost over."
The moment passed. The work was finished.
The man whom she had loved with proud reverence for
his strength, now lay before her, prostrate, maimed, and
in great measure helpless for all time.
And yet she bent above him ; and although the great
tears fell, and tenderness of pity softened all her face to
sweetness indescribable, not in his most triumphant
moments had such pride in him been hers. And while
she thought how dear it would be should he claim her for
his helping arm, a sense of her unworthiness for the first
time weighed upon her.
She was startled by an exclamation from the surgeon —
" Ha, here is a bullet-mark — I trust no dangerous wound
again," he said anxiously, as, raising the lantern, he dis-
cerned a small round hole pierced through the coat.
But no — the shot had been arrested, for no wound was
there. With an ejaculation of surprise, he searched, and
presently drew forth a tiny oval miniature. And there
embedded was the bullet.
Fadette mechanically held out her hand for it.
364 RANDOLPH HONOR.
Shattered as was the case, the ivory portrait within was
scarcely injured. It was not difficult to recognize the fault-
less features of Matoaca. Fadette knew it at once as a gift
of months ago to herself Ruthven Erie must then have
taken possession of it on that last day of Prairie-Combe.
She put it back without a word. Charley and Harry
Thorne exchanged smiling glances. Both were well as-
sured it was Fadette's own face.
Through the long forced marches which began before
that night had brightened into day — through fatigue, and
that anxiety which made those marches wearier still, while
the foe yet hovered in great numbers menacingly about the
shattered army — Fadette hardly left Ruthven Erie's side.
And when the enemy, at length defeated at* Newtonio in
the last engagement of the expedition, ceased longer to
molest the southward-bound, she kept her post through all
the horrors of that thirteen days' march across the Indian
country, where suffering, sickness, hunger, death, and dis-
appointment lurked along the barren prairies of the Creek
and Choctaw nations, and dogged relentlessly each toil-
some footfall. But in the fever's long delirium, when the
wounded man called wildly on her name, or moaned it ten-
derly in calmer intervals, she only shuddered and grew
pale.
And when at last the army crossed Red River into
Northern Texas, long the Promised Land, " the land flow-
ing with double rations," and Ruthven, convalescent, had
no further need of care, Fadette's avoidance of him was so
marked, her bearing so reserved and cold, that he could but
revert to her own words of the past : " The love could
hardly be the same."
The war-worn heroes rested now. They had been in the
saddle a hundred days and thirty nights, and had marched
EASDOLPIl IIOyOR 365
more tbaa two thousand miles. They had traversed Ar-
kansas, her mountains and her rivers, and crossed the rug-
<red sections of Missouri, following the Missouri s muddy
waters hundreds of miles. Kansas, the Indian country
had been on their line. Cities and towns by scores had
fallen in their hands. Enormous army-stores had been ap-
propriated to their use. They had met the common enemy at
home thirty-nine different times, and success and complete
victory had teen theirs on thirty-eight battle-heids. And
now they stacked their arms-for a brief respite as the/
thou<Tht They saw not how the shadow of the future
crept°and closed in dark and darker on the war-path
Kio-ht on the war-path, while Charley's oath was kept nx
the hospitals. Fadette was gone to Amy Weir, who with
her husband, was at Shreveport, at headquarters She had
parted from Ruthven Erie with a hurried, cold farewell.
And "the loss struck from the moment" which at Inde-
pendence had been his, was not restored.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
BIDING THE SURREXDEE.
Maimed and ruined— but I— I cried :
My heart is strong for thee —
Only to lean there and rest awhile,
Perchance might comfort be —
To lean, and, leaning, strengthen it,
While we two, being one,
Shall feel thy soul's supporting arm
Guide on, till day is done.
T was evening.
The crimson tide of sunset flooded all the skies,
and rippled through the oaks that clustered round
a home-enclosure. Woodlands bared of undergrowth closed
in around the bloomy square where stood a broad white-
columned mansion, surrounded by ample galleries. The
garden spread before, a wild luxuriance of roses, myrtles,
and magnolias. So isolated and so tranquil in the long
flushed summer twilight, that it seemed the outside world
could hardly wander hither with the burden of its cares
and anguish. There to the left, with oaks again behind,
arose the laden orchard and the yineyard slope. In front,
the avenue opened out straight and broad, though shadowy
with pleaching boughs of hickory, gum, and oak, Xo
weird gray drapery trailed here, but from time to time a
long graceful spray of vivid green moss came floating down.
All through the cleared forest drifted the sunset redly on.
Few sounds broke on the stillness. A mocking-bird was
RANDOLPH HONOR 307
pouring forth his varied full-toned melody from some fur
tree-top swaying in the breeze, whieli wafted tlie notes on-
ward with a dying rustling of the leaves. A whip-poor-
will was wailing from the hill-slope's edge. Along the
border of the woodland moaned the cooing of a dove. And
almost through the hush might reach the gurgle of a brook
which trilled across the avenue, where presently this takes
a downward curve, then up again.
A silence of unutterable peace, it might have seemed, to
one who had not heard in the old days the laughter and
light-hearted gayety these woods were wont to echo, till
they fairly won their name of " Merry Oaks." And now
the faint far stirring of the forest sounds might be but
silence softly sighing in her sleep, as here the fragrant float-
ing of the bloomy boughs might seem her slumbrous breath.
A casual glance upon the assemblage on the gallery
would have confirmed that impression of a happy tiian-
quillity. In the spacious doorway stood the tall gray-haired
master of the house, his fragile dark-eyed wife upon his
arm. Before them, on the gallery steps, was grouped a
bevy of young girls, among whom more than one pretty
face w^as their own. The tallest, with her Jewess-style, her
rich deep coloring, and massy braids, was resting on the
shoulder of her dimpled, laughing, brown-haired younger
sister. Their friend, with that peach-bloom on her cheek,
and the modest soft brown eyes cast down, was quite
hemmed in by two dashing young couriers in "jackets of
gray." And half a score in the loved uniform, of friends,
or sti-angers always hospitably welcomed — on the way to
Slireveport, biding the surrender, or on the eve of a self-
exile to Brazil or ]Mexico — noAV paused there, joining in tlie
conversation, or gathered at a distance in knots of twos
and threes. But not one in all that circle was more cor-
dially incorporated into it, or turned to meet the kind eyes
368 RANDOLPH HOXOR.
looking on it, with more of heartfelt home-feeling, than
the refugee who sat there, her hand in the clinging clasp
of the bright little gipsy at her feet.
The hum of conversation was too broken and too sorrow-
fully languid to disturb the stillness. But now a chance
word brought the memory of a battle of the past. Xo
wonder that all eyes flashed eagerly upon the officer who
spoke. For his earnest face was heroic in enthusiasm, his
voice thrilled with impassioned fervor.
He ended. Tears of pride, and then of bitter, bitter dis-
appointment, weighed down the dark uplifted lashes of the
girl who stood beside him. She dashed them away with
an impatient rebellion which would have betrayed Fadette
in the mere gesture.
" Ay," said Charley, near her, glowing yet to victorious
associations, " we have indeed fought a good fight. Can it
surely be that it ends here ?"
A hush of gloom fell over all
For weeks this fear, now narrowing into certainty, had
been closing round them. For days it was a vague, un-
formed, unsightly apparition — ghost, as it were, of a dead
futm-e, to be spoken of with every utterance of the lips, that
thus it might be proA'en formless as a breath. Then for
days, as it began to shape itself, it struck dismay and
silence to each heart. And every member of the numerous
household wandered restlessly apart, speechless, shrinking
from each others' glances, lest they should confirm the
dread — or sat together moodily, and little save a stifled
groan or sigh to break the stillness. One evanescent raj^
of hope had flashed through the dark, with the report that
the President had crossed to them — but soon it faded out.
Those galleries had echoed to the sound of steps which
paced them to and fro, striving thus to crush out and over-
wear the anguish of foreboding. And smoke, smoke,
RANDOLPH HONOR. 369
smoke imceasingly, as if from the funeral pyre of every
man's hope and ambition. Now on these last days had
come a yearning, proud, and tender looking on the dead,
dead struggle — soon, so soon, to be buried from sight where
the seared and blood-dript earth was not ready to break
forth in flowers. With hearts that never in the years to
come could lose that pang, men and women stood watching
the sudden death-throe they were powerless to stay. The
strongest soldier felt no shame that women saw he turned
aside because galling tears would force their way, or that,
he strove in vain to steady the hoarse choked tones.
" Ah," said Fadette, looking up to the first speaker, well
assured that in the pause the minds of all had stayed on the
same thought, " is it not a hideous night-mare, out of whicli
we must awake ? The utter impossibility of such an end
never struck me more forcibly than yesterday, as we were
driving out here from Shreveport. We had passed along
Texas-street, and stopped at a corner, awaiting Mr. Weir.
Near, across the way, was Governor Allen's State-store for
the soldiers' families, where a stream pressed in with rolls
of Louisiana State-money, destined for the burning in the
lot behind. Two men were standing on the corner — one a
tattered soldier, in whose hat there gleamed your crescent,
cross, and star. His companion held a large roll of notes,
and made a motion as if to toss them to our driver waiting
on the pavement. But the soldier drew his arm back. I
shall never forget the glorious resolution in his eyes when
he cried, there were true men to make each dollar there
yet good ! But ah, poor fellow, his voice choked then. He
drew his hat down over his brows, and turned sharply
away. "
" We ' orphans of the war,' " said a Missourian who
leaned against the column above, "owe such a debt of
gratitude to Louisiana's brave, true-hearted Governor, that
i6*
370 RAXDOLPE HOXOR.
until his own voice bids, Tve dare not trample out these
vestiges of his authority."
"Our lions rebel against being domesticated and purring
before the hearth-stone," said Charley, with an effort to
throw off the gloom,
" Domesticated — that includes the domus, does it not ?"
asked one of the exiles destined for the Imperial army in
Mexico.
Fadette restlessly moved away. Beneath the jasmine
^trellis, half-way to the gate, she paused, embowered by
the fragrant starry boughs.
Charley and one of the gentlemen had hardly joined her
there, when the sound of hoof-beats neared along the avenue.
And through the sweeping branches came a gleam of gray.
Fadette was watching idly, while her friend, who claimed
a brother's privilege in the house, advanced to meet these
latest comers.
" Three of them, Charley. How they are dashing up !
And oh, what a handsome man the foremost !" she added,
as he drew rein before the gate, and removing his cap, was
making the usual soldier's request to stay for the night —
followed by the usual cordial invitation.
"Those two behind — " Fadette began agtiin. But she
stopped short. For side by side, as they rode on, she rec-
ognized Captain Thorne — and Mr. Erie.
She caught Charley's arch bright glance, and her con-
cision increased.
"I wonder who that handsome man is?" she said hur-
riedly, in the longing for some sound louder than the beating
of her own heart.
" What — who — why, Mr. Erie I Is it possible you do
not know him?" Charley answered hesitatingly — perhaps,
taken at unawares, hardly able to give the palm away from
Harry Thome.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 3 71
He might indeed have justified that hesitation, as he
came forward, flushed with pleasure at the meeting. The
next moment he liad taken Charley's hand. But Fadette
drew^ back, half hidden by the jasmine bouo-hs.
Her eyes were dazed with tears. , She had not seen
Ruthven Erie since they coldly parted on the Texan bor-
der, he then still an invalid, reclining in his ambulance.
She had thought of him — daily, hourly — since. But in her
thoughts the pallid hue of suffering was gone, and even his
loss appeared unreal. She watched him now. The sleeve
dangled across his breast, and the hand he laid upon the
shoulder of his friend of the crescent, cross, and star, who
now went forward to greet an old comrade, was slender
even to emaciation.
Fadette was almost hidden in her green and snowy covert,
when Mr. Erie recognized Charley with an exclamation of
astonishment. In an instant he was at her side, and re-
ceiving a heartfelt welcome. Then folio w^ed a quick glance
around and an inquiry for Amy. But no mention of
Fadette's name.
Charley explained that their kind friends at "Merry
Oaks" had come to Amy at Shreveport, insisting upon
taking home one and all. For since the surrender was now
inevitable, to live was fast becoming a problem, from gen-
erals' families to clerks.
And still no word of Fadette. She never once dreamed
of an^er at his forgetfulness. She w^as looking reverently
upon him, thinking with what sacrifices he had sealed his
fealty to his country. A maimed and ruined man — a
broken, ruined land — he wan with suffering for her — she
wasted, desolate. The thought brought a grief which
stifled Fadette. And with it came the recollection of
Matoaca. In bitter self-disdain she scoffed at the idea of
Ruthven's lowering his proud head to a level with herself,
372 RAyBOLni 110 XOR.
when Matoaca stood by in the full stature of a perfect
woman. And with an almost sob, she owned that all was
as it should be. Her own faint-throbbing heart could
never lift him above pain. And though no soul could lean
more gently, yet since he was worn and weary now, he did
well to seek a statelier love to lean upon.
She was startled by his turning quietly to her. Must he
not have seen her all this while ? But she could judge of
nothing from his face. The compassionate tearful eyes
lifted nnhesitatingly to his were hardly what he cared to
see. For after shaking hands, as a footstep now approach-
ed, he presented
" My cousin. Colonel Erie" — then left them together.
For Amy stood upon the steps beside her husband, one
arm outstretched to Ruthven with a sweet low quivering cry.
Fadette had glanced up at the stranger, a light breaking
over her face, as over her mind. He was walking on ab-
stractedly beside her.
" Colonel Erie," she cried in an abrupt almost whisper,
" you have been in Arkansas ?"
An expression of vivid interest flashed into his eyes at
once.
" Have you perhaps heard me spoken of there ?" he
asked quickly.
She laughed outright. And catching her arch glance,
he joined in with a shade of embarrassment in his manner.
Yet not an embarrassment of which he wished to rid him-
self, apparently. For he stopped under the tall white rose
which at that moment overarched their path. And rais-
ing his arm to gather a cluster, much as if at her request,
he detained her.
" Won't you throw a glimmer of light upon my path ?"
he said, bending low, while he stripped the thorns from the
flower-stem, and oflTered it.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 373
Fadette looked up at him wonderingly.
" I know you are her dearest friend," he went on ; " you
can tell me if I am mad to follow still. Ruthven brouglit
me her miniature, that is true — but she rather permitted
than sent it. And she has been so cold, so cruelly unfor-
CfivinG: ! Of course I ouo^ht to have been free before ask-
ing to bind another. But my chains were so light that I
well-nigh forgot them. And the truth is, I was afraid to
confess. That unfortunate ' if-for-me-thou-dost-forsake' sen-
timent has made many a wretch wish both Moore and him-
self at the bottom of that frozen lake. "
Despite the humorous tone in which these words were
uttered, Fadette was touched by the uncontrollable anxiety
of his manner. She answered softly :
" To say truth, Colonel Erie, she has never once men-
tioned your name. But a very few days before we parted,
she — I think she was betrayed into saying that to love once
is to love always, strive against it as one will, and that time
crumbles down pride's strongest barriers. I remember her
own words, because they quivered on her proud beautiful
lips. And her eyes were luminous in tears — so luminous,
that they might lend the glimmer which you seek." She
ended with a smile that flitted on her upturned face.
His lowered toward her.
Warmly he took her hand toying with the rosebuds.
Even as he did so, her eyes wandered toward the gallery.
And she instantly comprehended Matoaca's unfaith, and
wished the dark lady's lover somewhat less effusive in the
friendly way. For Ruthven Erie, conversing with one of
the young ladies of the house, stood fronting her, and she
thought she could perceive an expression of displeasure.
When Fadette and Colonel Erie approached. Amy had
started, then came forward, and extended a cordial wel-
come, yet with a faint flush, and head bent slightly toward
3T4 BAXDOLPH HOXOB.
her husband. He returned a smile, as he shook hands with
his ancient rival.
" Why, how have you found your way to the Confed-
eracy ?" said Amy, unembarrassed in a moment — " For we
still are the Confederacy."
" Direct to and from Alexandria, Cousin Amy. There I
met Ruthven here, and pushed on to take you €7i route —
for Brazil."
Fadette raised her head hastily.
He bent his, adding to her very low —
" Missouri also lies upon the way — is it not so ?"
"To Brazil!" exclaimed Amy concernedly. "Surely,
my dear cousin, you will not go alone, a stranger in a strange
land ?"
The brightness of hope, a radiance more than a mere
smile, illumined his whole face.
" I trust, not alone," he said.
And Harry Thorne chimed in :
"Will you deliver him into my keeping, Mrs. Weir?
We go together. But he has stipulated that I am to lurk
in parts unknown to Mr. Yank, in Texas, until some weeks
are passed, when he will take me on the road to sail fi-om
Galveston. What can he intend doing with those weeks ?"
he questioned, gayly. He, too, had spent that spring of
sixty-one in Arkansas, when Colonel Erie had made no dis-
guise of his attentions to Miss Vaughan.
" Captain Thorne ! You going ?" cried Fadette.
Charley did not speak. Her face was as a mask, and her
fingers continued to tap a tattoo upon the column against
which she stood apart.
" Going indeed. You are sorry ? I thank you. I have
no one to regret me — no one to say as much," he ended
half angrily, with an involuntary movement toward Charley.
With that, Charley turned sharply round —
RANDOLPH HONOR. 375
"And what will you do in Brazil, Captain Thorne?
Those pampas are a fine field for your old profession of
jayhawking. It is not to be presumed that you will turn
in and maul rails."
Harry's color rose, and he had some difficulty in repress-
ing a retort. But he said instead :
" The heyday of jayhawking is over. Miss Charley.
"Work, work, hard work — a log cabin put up by my OA\n
hands — a clearing in the wood — no servant but my man
Tom, who, after four years of campaigning with his master,
has no disposition to fly off the handle now. All these,
and freedom. Aye, and exile," he added sadly. " But
beware, you, my stay-at-home friends — when you become
liege subjects of the United States, you become my lawful
prey. I shall consider myself quite at liberty, coming back
one of these fine days, to jerk you all out of the last
red."
" And will you too return thus, I\Ir. Erie ?" Fadette said
in seeming carelessness, shrinking from a more direct ques-
tion as to whether he were to be an exile too.
" I do not go," he answered, with a coldness which
touched her to the quick.
" Ah," she cried, " I do not see how one can brook to
stay here! The very atmosphere is heavy with battle-
smoke — we cannot know a moment's forgetfulness — not
draw one free breath ! We should go — all — all of us — and
leave the land a desert."
" Leave our native soil, our old associations, and that
battle-smoke which still bears upward many a comrade's
parting breath ? And what, for instance, could a mutilated,
ruined man, such as I, do in a colony ? However, it is not
with me a question of expediency."
"No," returned Harry Thorne^* Erie has the idea
finnly rooted that the South has need still of the * so-
376 BAXDOLPH HOXOR.
called.' Xow I cannot see it in that light. But should a
brighter day ever dawn, here we shall be found again, ready
to wake snakes as in days gone by. But just now we are
ourselves in danger of falling into the torpid state" — and
he began to hum after a most drowsy fashion — " Wake me
up when — dies."
" When who dies ?" Amy asked.
" ' Whistle o'er the lave o't,' " interrupted Ruthven
quickly. " My dear Amy, our hot-headed friend has his
own ideas far too fully developed for a young captain con-
fessedly ignorant."
"Xot so ignorant," retorted Harry, "but that he can
give you all a wonderful piece of information. What do
you think it can be, Mrs. Weir ?" he asked, impatient of
the shade of thought which in the pause began to darken
every face.
" What indeed ?" returned Amy, with a faint show of
interest.
" An early victim to the matrimonial fever which I
prophesy will rage as high as the Brazilian. Miss Grahame
married some three weeks since."
" Miss Grahame I"
" Do you remember a certain beardless youth" — (Harry
Thorne had acquired a fair imperial)—" who in the winter
of 'sixty-two was quite devoted ? He certainly filled her
bill, and last winter the acquaintance progressed at
Washington, our pleasant Arkansas retreat, where it con-
summated in — I had nearly said ' darkness and the death-
hour rounding it.' "
" Which goes to prove," commented Charley, " that love
is written on the heart in sympathetic ink, and needs but
warmth to bring it out."
" Miss Charley, say that once again," cried Harry Thorne,
going over to her where she still stood somewhat withdrawn.
RANDOLPH HONOR. 377
" A l-rash speech, Captain Thorne," she returned com-
posedly. " We must all learn to talk as straight as if we
were in a dug-out, if you take up chance words thus."
For some moments he paused before her, downcast and
silent. Then, as if inspired by a sudden resolve, -he
spoke —
"What will you do in this land of desolation, Miss
Charley ?"
She only shook her head. She had no voice to speak.
The remembrance of her utter isolation crushed her with a
weight too suifocating.
Harry Thome's eyes sparkled.
"Charley," he said, with precipitate fervor, "1 am come
that, vainly or not, I might ask you to go to Brazil with
me."
She looked at him, but ignored his hand outstretched.
She folded her arms, and waited thus an instant, firm and
self-reliant as a man might have been. She did not affect
to misunderstand the full import of his words, although her
gaze did not waver, but full and free met his. Yet the hot
blood swept up to her brow.
"You know that I am able to stand alone. Captain
Thorne ? You know that I have need of the generous pro-
tection of no man ?"
His hope died darkly out. He stammered :
" I know that well — and— I know that, for the second
time, I have made an egregious fool of myself. But," he
went on resolutely, "do not imagine all ends here. So
lono^ as no one else can claim this hand — "
He grasped it as he spoke.
She turned her head away.
"Take care," she answered, brokenly; "there is blood
upon it. Can you be sure that it is a woman's, or a com-
rade's?"
378 RANDOLPH HONOR.
" Charley !"
She was trembling as he could not hare dreamed any-
thing had power to move her. It M'as answer all-sufficient.
" The hand is mine. The blood I take upon me — so — "
he affirmed, daringly. And he drew the jiassive fingers
within his arm.
And pacing up and down the gallery thus, remembered
words came to his lips, full and warm as any from his own
heart could be :
" ' Your wisdom may declare
That womanhood is proved the best
B}' golden brooch and glossy vest
The mincing ladies wear —
Yet is it proved, and was of old,
Anear as well, I dare to hold,
By truth, or by despair.
*' ' Oh, womanly slie prayed in tent
"When none beside did wake —
Oh, womanly she paled in fight
For — one beloved's sake }
And her little hand, defiled with blood,
Her tender tears of womanhood
Most woman-pure did make.' "
" Only think I" Charley laughed, shaking off those tears
with a brave effort — "a poem on prosaic me ! Truly, swans
do sometimes take themselves for ugly ducks !"
An hour after, Fadette stole apart unseen. Music, and
the blaze of light within the drawing-room, sent her out
into the gallery for quiet.
She passed round to the side, and upon the steps which
here also ascended from the garden, she took her seat, en-
sconced behind a column from view of the windows open-
ing to the floor. Thence on the hush of the outer air
vibrated the melody of fresh girlish voices, with the deeper
RANDOLPH HONOR. 379
chorus of the gentlemen. Fadette sighed, remembering
that her ties to the dear old place were parting even now.
True, she had mingled in many a lighter-hearted scene at
Merry Oaks. Now there was at best a calm. But a calm
in which one strove to linger, lest just beyond the smooth-
ness should crash down the cataract.
Even the music took the current of the thoughts of all.
" The Outward Bound" went home to more than one list-
ener, with the sweep of waters soon to roll between. And
as the melancholy "Moon behind the Hill" ensued, Fa-
dette's gaze wandered on to the oak-crowned slope before
her, just above which the moon was peering now. There
she seemed to see another hill where the moon was wont
to rise on the far Chesapeake. Another stanza brought a
heavy sigh, with the vision of a prairie grave, which the
moon did not watch over, as in the song, in the familiar
scenes of childhood. Those scenes — were they foi-ever van-
ished? Might her guardian gain the old home back?
Proudly she recalled his words when last he stood there:
" Shall I loose the true Randolph Honor, to hold fast its
emblem, these old walls and acres ?" Then his other words
recurred — and with them, how her pulses quickened : " My
will-'o-the-wisp cannot be won back from Carolina marshes."
Would any one indeed seek to detain her there ?
She started and looked up guiltily, at a man's step on
the gallery. She knew well whom she should see there.
But he had not known. For he spoke Amy's name, then
hastily apologized for his mistake in the half dark.
Fadette hesitated, then drew aside the white folds of her
dress which had swept over half the steps.
" Won't you stay, Mr. Erie ? ' The moon behind the
hiir is improved by yonder illustration," she ended with a
gesture across to the silvered woodland crest.
He threw himself almost at her feet, his elbow resting on
380 RANDOLPH HONOR.
a step above. Yet his eyes did not meet hers, but were
uplifted to the brilliant skies. Hers therefore lingered un-
observed upon that careworn countenance. She herself
grew careworn with the watching. And to break the
silence which became oppressive, she asked if he would re-
turn to "Beauregard," or to Carolina with the "Weu-s,
Charley, and herself.
" Beauregard is but a wilderness," he made reply —
" burnt and waste, and I have nothing to expend upon it.
Xo — if my horses will defray travelling-expenses, I shall go
to Carolina, and there take whatsoever my left hand iind-
eth to do for the present."
" Ah, then you ^-ill go with us." There was a thrill of
pleasure in her voice.
He turned full upon her.
" Except it be a freak of chance," he said slowly, " I see
you to-night for the last time in my life."
" Oh, Mr. Erie, why — why — " she began, shocked be-
yond her self-control.
"Hush," he said very low. "You speak of what you
do not understand. To you it is pleasant, doubtless, to
keep fast associations of the past four years. You gladly
welcome a friend who brings these back to you. But have
you thought what it must be to me ? After to-night, I
will rather die than meet you. Do you dream I can be
with you, and yet see the gulf between us, over which I
cannot draw you to myself?"
The voice was stifled, and stopped short. His head was
bowed, and a stern fortitude marked the set features. But
a brilliant smile lit up Fadette's. Slowly she dropped her
hand, until it rested on his shoulder.
He started up, and the light touch fell off. She rose too,
trembling now.
"Xot so," he said proudly. "I scorn to take from pity
RANDOLPH HONOR. 381
that which love refused me. Do you think I did not mark
the shrinking and the coldness which grew on you before
we parted last November ? Do you think I have forgot
that parting ? Far be it from me to reject your sympathy
— but I will have none of it enshrined in the high place of
love."
She shrank back, steadying herself against the column,
that he might not see how she was quivering in every limb.
" If — one — had cared for you," she almost whispered,
" is this a time when that feeling could grow cold ?"
"Ay — 'The love cannot be the same.'" He quoted
her own words, with a short hard laugh.
She stood no more aloof, shrinking, downcast, and timid.
With a swift gliding movement she drew near, and laid
both hands on his arm, looking up at him fearlessly, the
whole light of her soul in her eyes.
"Should I do this," she began steadily; "if— if"— she
faltered — " Will you then force me to say — this is no pity
— it is — love."
Then the blushes surged across her face. She dropped
her hands, and drew back hurriedly. She turned her head
— in another instant w^ould have flitted beyond his reach,
safe in the drawing-room. But, quick as thought, he caught
her hand.
" Have you remembered" — he demanded, bending to seek
his answer in her averted face — "have you remembered
how feeble is this one arm to guard you, to uphold you —
ay, even to hold you fast ?"
The slender little fingers he still kept, impulsively tight-
ened upon his. She had no words, but the action spoke for
her. It acknowledged a bond closer than his holding fast.
He grew very pale.
" It is too much. I dare not bind her to such a sacrifice,"
he muttered.
382 RANDOLPH UOXOR.
She turned at that.
" You do not understand," she said. " This it is, which
you are to decide — Whether you go your way this night,
and leave me helpless ; or whether you will let me rest on
your strong soul, while you — will it, can it .comfort you ? —
are leaning on me — thus."
She lifted his hand, and laid it on her shoulder, embold-
ened by the incredulous gaze which he still fixed upon her.
He roused at that.
" Do you know," he said, looking into her upraised face
with a tumult of emotions surging over his, " have you con-
sidered that which you are choosing now ? For that choice
once fully made, I know not how you shall ever be released.
The future is dim before me ; I have no longer a bright
home to offer you — "
" Hark, Mr. Erie !" she interposed, with a gesture of at-
tention toward the house, and a tremulous light in the
sweet eyes dropped bashfully from his — "Do you hear
what they are singing ? Listen !"
Clear and thrilling in its melody, swept out upon the
moonlit hush :
" ' The heart of the soldier's the home of his wife,
Imogen !
The heart of the soldier's the home of his wife.' "
"Xevei-more to be released!" Ruthven Erie exclaimed
triumphantly. And his left arm drew her to her home.
THE
SOUTHEEN UNIVERSITY SERIES
OF
SCHOOL AND COLLEGE TEXT-BOOKS
Proposes to supply, especially for the literaiy institutions of the
South, educational works of a high order of excellence— fully up to
the advanced ideas of the present— from the pens of Soutliem pro-
fessors and scholars of recognized ability and eminent fitness for the
preparation of such works. Each volume is the product of the
special study and practical skill of its author, in his own department
of investigaUon and instruction. The literature, history, and life of
the South are illustrated in fair proportions in this series ; but every
kind of sectional teaching is excluded, as well as the fostering of any
sectional prejudices.
The books which are already issued challenge comparison Avith
other similar works as to their literary qualities, their progressive
methods, their adaptation to school-room needs, or their mechanical
beauty and excellence. They include a series of Headers— from
Primer and Speller to Fifth Reader for advanced pupils ; Arithrnetics
— First Lessons, IVIeutal, and Written ; English Grammar ; French
Grammar and Reader ; and Latin Grammar. To these will be
added, early in 1868, a Primaiy and an Intermediate Geography, by
the accomplished geographer Mauiy, and a Guide to French Pronun-
ciation; while we have also in preparation (many of them nearly
ready for the press) an Elementary Algebra and a History of the
United States ; also, a Higher Arithmetic and Algebra ; a new trans-
lation of the latest edition of Legendre's Geometry; an Introduction
to the Study of French ; other books of the Geographical series ; First
Lessons in English Grammar ; Manual of English Composition and
Criticism; Latin- Exercise Book; Latin Reader; Natural Philoso-
phy; Chemistry, etc., etc.
These books are prepared by such instructors and scholars as
Professors Holmes, Yenable, Scheie De Vere, and Gildcrsleeve, of the
University of Virginia ; M. F. Mauiy, LL.D., author of " Physical
Geography of the Sea ;" the Professors Le Conte and Professor Sacht-
leben, of the University of South Carolina, etc. They have received
the universal and hearty commendation of the Southern press, the
endorsement of teachers and school-officers eveiywhere, of the
legislatures of several of the States, etc.
Please send for our Circular and Descriptive List. Copies fur-
nished for examination at half the retail price, and favorable terms
made for introduction. Address
Richardson and Company,
PnblUbers, 14 Bond Street, Kew York.
A SUMPTUOUS BOOK.
HISTORY OF THE
LEE FAMILY OF VIRGINIA.
Br E. C. MEAD.
Small Quarto^ handsomely lUuMrated.
The subscribers are happy to announce that the above work is in
press, and will be oflFercd to the public early in December. It has
been prepared with much care by a member of the family, from
ample materials placed in his hands, assisted by Mrs. R. E. Lee and
others.
The prominent position this family has occupied in the annals of
Virginia and Maryland for two hundred 3-ears, renders this volume
a valuable and interesting contribution to the histoiy of those States.
The editor has presented much new and important matter relative
to the Revolutionaiy War and later times. The sketch of General
R. E. Lee's family will especially interest the friends of that distin-
guished General in all parts of the country. This work will be
printed on the finest toned paper, and handsomely illustrated with
portraits and homestead views ; with the coats of' aims beautifully
printed in colors — making a unique gift-book.
Price, in Extra Cloth, Gilt Edges $ 7.50.
" Full Morocco, Extra 12.00.
WAR POETRY OF THE SOUTH.
By W3L GILMORE SDIMS.
In one beautiful volume, cloth $2.50.
Eveiy Southern family will want a copy of this splendid work —
every reader vnll take a patriotic pride in it. Mr. Simms' eminent
position made him the most competent man in the South for its
preparation, and he has produced a volume which will ever be an
honor to the genius and culture of the Southern people. It is emi-
nently a ?ieart book.
The Southern Press have everywhere received the announcement
of this work \\ith the greatest interest, and its sale is destined to be
universal. It is a
Family Book for every Southern Home.
%* Either book will be sent by mail, postpaid, on receipt of price.
Richardson and Company,
Publishers, 14 Bond Street, IVew York.
RARE BOOK
COLLECTION
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